Emerging virtual care methods to improve access to behavioural health services within the ambulatory care setting

Atrium Health launched a transformative integrative care delivery model, Behavioural Health Integration (BHI), utilising virtual and population health management tools to reach out to patients with behavioural health symptoms in primary care and pediatric practices. The goal of the collaborative care initiative is to improve access to behavioural health services and improve the patients’ overall health. In 2016, BHI outcomes revealed that 49 per cent of patients saw a 50 per cent reduction in their depression scores, 38 per cent of patients saw a decrease in their anxiety screening scores and over 80 per cent of the programme participants with suicidal ideations at baseline denied suicidal ideations at the completion of the programme. This patient population also revealed a decrease by 0.4 points for HgBA1C levels, total cholesterol decreased by 11.5 points and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol decreased by 11.7 points. The patient population demonstrated a 25 per cent reduction in avoidable inpatient visits and a 13 per cent reduction in avoidable emergency department visits. Through implementation of the BHI model, ambulatory care clinics and patients have immediate access to behavioural health services. Thus, assessment, planning and initiation of treatment can begin immediately, and follow-up care can be coordinated between the behavioural health team and medical providers all in one visit.