Taking integrated primary care from vision to reality

Reviews the book, Integrated Behavioral Health in Primary Care: Evaluating the Evidence, Identifying the Essentials edited by Mary R. Talen and Aimee Burke Valeras (see record 2013-28686-000). With this book, the editors bring together a collection of authors with expertise in integrating behavioral health services into primary care who describe various integrated primary care initiatives and review the evidence behind integrated primary care. The flow of the book underscores that the model’s viability depends on addressing factors that extend beyond clinical outcomes to include (a) operational, administrative, and financial matters; (b) development of research protocols germane to population-based approaches and effectiveness; and (c) ensuring that key administrators and leaders in the health care field of tomorrow value an integrated approach. Clearly written with numerous case examples of institutions that are using integrated primary care models, this book will be a useful resource for mental health practitioners working in primary care settings. Physicians and other primary care providers will also find this text informative, as it will provide new insights into the psychological and behavioral issues facing the individuals whom they treat in the primary care setting and offer ways to capitalize on integration opportunities. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)