Effective healthcare doesn’t just treat physical ailments. But for far too long, that’s exactly what many care models have done, siloing behavioral health — mental health, substance abuse, poor health choices — away from traditional medical care.
The result of this siloing has been fragmented care, missed diagnoses, and suboptimal outcomes. It’s also led to costs being much higher than they need to be — not just for individuals, but also for the healthcare industry as a whole.
At apree, we believe strongly in the interconnection of physical and mental health. It’s well documented that mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, are often linked to chronic diseases like heart disease and chronic pain. Conversely, chronic illnesses can exacerbate mental health conditions, creating a vicious cycle that is difficult to break without integrated care.
Take a patient with diabetes who also suffers from depression. That depression may cause them to struggle with following their treatment plan, leading to poor glycemic control and increased risk of complications.
Behavioral health also encompasses health behaviors — such as smoking, diet, and physical activity — that significantly influence physical health. These behaviors are often shaped by psychological and social factors, making them difficult to change without addressing the underlying mental health issues.
For example, a patient trying to quit smoking may need support for anxiety or depression that fuels their tobacco use. Integrating behavioral health into our care model allows for a more comprehensive approach to these challenges, enabling our providers to address the root causes of unhealthy behaviors rather than just the symptoms.
Better care at lower costs
By having behavioral health as not just an integrated part of our care model but as one of the main pillars, we are able to improve outcomes across the board — from patients to providers to the entire healthcare system.
On the patient front, the collaboration at the center of our advanced primary care model means patients receive a comprehensive treatment plan that makes achieving their health goals much easier.
When patients feel that their providers understand and care about their mental and physical health, they feel seen and understood and are more likely to engage in their care and adhere to treatment recommendations. This increased engagement leads to better health outcomes and, in turn, higher patient satisfaction.
Integrating behavioral health also helps reduce the stigma many patients associate with mental health services by normalizing those services as just another component of routine healthcare.
Providers benefit from integrated behavioral health by having additional support in treating the whole patient, allowing them to build stronger relationships with their patients and a more fulfilling practice experience.
Then there are the overall cost savings. Behavioral health conditions are associated with high healthcare utilization and costs, particularly when they are not effectively managed. Patients with untreated mental health conditions are more likely to use emergency services, be hospitalized, and require more intensive and expensive care.
By addressing behavioral health needs early and in the primary care setting, providers can prevent the escalation of health issues that lead to costly interventions. For instance, a patient with mild depression may benefit from early intervention, such as counseling or medication, that prevents the development of more severe symptoms requiring more costly, long-term treatment or even hospitalization.
Additionally, integrated care models can reduce duplication of services and improve care coordination, further lowering costs.
Treating the entire patient
Preventive care should be the main pillar of every modern care model. At apree, a critical component of preventive care is addressing a patient’s behavioral health needs.
The more we are able to help patients build upon smart health choices, the less likely they are to encounter debilitating or severe health problems. By addressing the interconnectedness of physical and mental health, we are able to hit the trifecta of improved patient outcomes, reduced healthcare costs, and increased patient satisfaction.
We’re also able to make the hard work of our providers more fulfilling. Everyone who dedicates their lives to healthcare wants to make a difference. That’s exactly what integrated care is all about — a model where an entire team works together to improve the lives of patients, not just for what ails them, but also for what may be causing that ailment.
Put another way, treat the whole person and you can make that individual and those that are treating them feel whole.
