Challenges and successes in an integrated behavioral complex care clinic

BackgroundMental health and substance abuse disorders occur with other medical problems at a higher rate, resulting in increased costs and higher morbidity and mortality rates. Integrating behavioral health with primary care has shown success, but how this approach is experienced by patients and clinicians in a complex care clinic is not fully investigated.PurposeThis study explored the benefits and challenges of a complex care clinic with an integrated behavioral health component.MethodWe used a conventional qualitative content analysis of semi-structured interviews with clinicians and patients, and team meeting observations.ConclusionsPatients and clinicians perceive similar successes of an integrated behavioral health complex care clinic, such as decreased use of emergency room and improved health. Only clinicians found challenges, which were related to traditional medical care perceptions, time and space, and interprofessional teamwork. Patients did not identify challenges related to the integrated complex care clinic.