It’s estimated that only about 43% of the individuals suffering from depression and other common mental disorders are receiving the care they need.1 This gap, coupled with the high costs associated with healthcare, has led many medical practices to adapt a collaborative approach to treatment—offering physical and behavioral health services, all under one roof.
Under the collaborative care model, primary care physicians, mental health providers, and case managers work together to care for patients. This collaborative approach helps to lower costs and ensure the services, medications, and treatments patients receive are well coordinated. As an added benefit, this model of healthcare has opened new doors for those contemplating a social work degree, counseling degree, or psychology degree—both in online learning and traditional higher education settings.
Unfortunately, not all collaborative medical practices currently include mental or behavioral healthcare coverage, though data has shown how beneficial it can be. One particular study examined the need for mental healthcare services to be integrated into a collaborative care model for Medicaid patients, and found that:2
- Of patients with mental health disorders, only 20% are in the care of a mental health specialist.
- When patients with more common mental health issues, such as depression, are cared for under a collaborative system, it is more effective and cost-efficient than conventional care.
- When patients’ antidepressant medications are prescribed by their primary care physician as opposed to a psychiatrist, only 20% show substantial clinical improvements.
The types of mental healthcare providers within a collaborative practice can vary, depending on the type of care needs, but might include professionals who hold an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Master of Social Work with a specialization in Advanced Clinical Practice, or a PhD in Clinical Psychology. By combining these highly trained behavioral health providers with a team of medical specialists, patients are more likely to receive care that might otherwise have been neglected. The result? Healthier individuals—both physically and mentally.
Walden University is an accredited institution offering psychology, counseling, and social work degrees online. Expand your career options and earn your degree using a convenient, flexible learning platform that fits your busy life.
Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org.
1Source: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness.shtml
2Source: https://www.medicaid.gov/state-resource-center/medicaid-state-technical-assistance/health-home-information-resource-center/downloads/hh-irc-collaborative-5-13.pdf