Collaborative Care is a healthcare philosophy and movement that has many names, models, and definitions. Common derivatives of the name collaborative care include: "Integrated Care", "Primary Care Behavioral Health", and "Shared Care".
The Agency on Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) published an overview of many different models and the research that supports them [1]. The key features of Collaborative Care models are: -Integration of mental health professionals in primary care medical settings -Close collaboration between mental health and medical/nursing providers -Focus on treating the whole person and whole family.
References
- ^ Butler M, Kane RL, McAlpine D, Kathol, RG, Fu SS, Hagedorn H, Wilt TJ. Integration of Mental Health/Substance Abuse and Primary Care No. 173 (Prepared by the Minnesota Evidence-based Practice Center under Contract No. 290-02-0009.) AHRQ Publication No. 09-E003. Rockville, MD. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. October 2008.