Roles, Attitudes, and Training Needs of Behavioral Health Clinicians in Integrated Primary Care Available to Purchase

As integrated primary care (IPC) evolves, so does the new role of the behavioral health clinician (BHC). At present, mental health providers from various specialties are working as BHCs and adapting their training and skills to work as part of the medical team. The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the experiences of BHCs who work in IPC so as to better understand their roles, attitudes, and training needs. The themes that emerged from semi-structured interviews suggest that the roles of a BHC are multifaceted and rooted in a holistic mind-body approach. Participants supported the need for additional training in graduate programs and internships for integrated care. The results informed a conceptual model of BHCs working in IPC.