Providers’ Perceptions of Mental Healthcare Needs in
Primary Care Patients
Selena Jackson, B.A., Cory Wornell, M.S., MPH., Jennifer Langhinrichsen-Rohling, Ph.D.,
& Keri Johns, M.A. University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL
Background
Results
• Mental health disparities for individuals of lower
social economic status have been implicated in the
maintenance of psychological distress (Adler &
Rehkopf, 2008).
• Traditionally, such individuals experiencing
psychological distress present to their primary care
physician instead of a mental health provider
(Parslow, Lewis, & Marsh, 2011).
• As a result, integrative healthcare is being initiated
nationally within community healthcare systems to
provide diverse treatment and promote quality care.
• Uniquely positioned for such expansion are
Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs or
FQs), which are the primary healthcare locale for
low-income, uninsured, or Medicaid recipients.
• Therefore, it is important to ensure perceived needs
are adequately addressed so resources are
appropriated utilized to provide the best patient
care.
Results (cont.)
Provider Rankings of Group Needs
Comfort Level with Unstable Patient
80
70
15%
22%
60
15%
Percentages
15%
33%
Very Comfortable
Somewhat Comfortable
Neutral
66.7
30
50
Somewhat Uncomfortable
0
Comfort Level with Stable Clients
25
23.8
16.7
19
19
14
4.2
4.2
33.3
28.6
14.3
0
First
23.8
19
4.8
Second
0
Third
5
4.8
Fourth
Stress Reduction
Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Mindfulness Techniques
Loss and Grief
9.5
14.3
4.8
Fifth
Depression/Mood Disorders
Requests for Additional Training
7% 7%
45%
Very Comfortable
Neutral
Very Uncomfortable
Percentage
41%
Somewhat Comfortable
Somewhat Uncomfortable
K
Comfort Level using PHQ-9
8%
42.9
42.9
10
Very Uncomfortable
The aim of the study is to assess PCP needs/attitudes in
five domains:
1) comfort level with mental health patients
2) utilization of the PHQ-9 as a screener for
depression
3) most prevalent presenting problems
4) perceived needs for therapeutic groups
5) areas of interest for additional PCP training
regarding mental health treatment and medication
protocol
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
89
81
12%
74
70
59
48
41
52
30
11
PHQ-9
19
Mental and
Behavioral
Health Needs
Treating
Depression
Psychotropic
Medications
26
Motivational Chronic Illness
Interviewing and Depression
AXIS TITLE
Yes
No
23%
30%
27%
Discussion
Very Comfortable
Somewhat Comfortable
Neutral
Somewhat Uncomfortable
Very Uncomfortable
Methods
Jackson, S., Wornell, C., Langhinrichsen-Rohling, J., & Johns, K.. (2014 November). Providers’ Perceptions
of Mental Healthcare Needs in Primary Care Patients. Poster presented at the 48th Annual Convention of the
Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Philadelphia, PA.
40
20
Purpose
Most Prevalent Presentations
90
80
70
60
Percentage
• Anonymous survey data collected from two unique
community FQHCs located in the southeastern Gulf
Coast region.
• Sample: 27 Primary Care Providers
• ~55% Female
• Race/Ethnicity equally distributed
50
50
40
30
85
81
56
56
56
20
10
0
Symptom
59
69
• Many physicians reported feeling “neutral” about
screening with the PHQ-9 due to their unfamiliarity
with the screening instrument. Our Center feels this is a
necessary step toward integrated care: training PCPs in
screening devices for the MBH needs of their patients.
• While the PCPs reported high levels of mental health
concerns such as depression and anxiety, one FQ rated
the need for a “Healthy Lifestyles” Group as their
primarily-desired MBH group therapy session. More
training in the goals of MBH groups may be needed.
• Though a large portion of PCPs stated they would be
willing to be trained in “MBH Needs”, most were not
interested in being trained in MI and other evidencebased interventions which have potential to allow PCPs
to attend to the MBH needs of their patients.
• Further research is underway to determine the affects of
having access to a MBH professional at the FQHCs.
The Outreach Program was developed jointly by BP and the Plaintiffs' Steering Committee as part of the Deepwater Horizon Medical Benefits Class Action Settlement, which was approved by the U.S. District Court in New Orleans on January 11,
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