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Rural Models for Integrating Primary Care and Mental Health Services

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Abstract

This paper presents findings from a study designed to identify and describe models for integrating primary care and mental health services in rural communities. Data were obtained from telephone interviews with staff at rural primary care sites around the country. Findings are based on the responses of 53 primary care organizations in 22 states. The authors identify four integration models—diversification, linkage, referral and enhancement—which appear to exist in combination, rather than as pure types. The proposed analytic framework outlines aspects of integration that are readily amenable to study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Maine Rural Health Research Center, USA

    Donna C. Bird & David Lambert

  2. Division of Rural Health, Maine Rural Health Research Center, USA

    David Hartley

  3. Strategic and Financial Planning Division, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, USA

    Peter G. Beeson

  4. Edmund S. Muskie School of Public Service, USA

    Andrew F. Coburn

Authors
  1. Donna C. Bird
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  2. David Lambert
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  3. David Hartley
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  4. Peter G. Beeson
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  5. Andrew F. Coburn
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Bird, D.C., Lambert, D., Hartley, D. et al. Rural Models for Integrating Primary Care and Mental Health Services. Adm Policy Ment Health 25, 287–308 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022291306283

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