Establishing measurement-based care in integrated primary care: monitoring clinical outcomes over time

Abstract

Full implementation of the patient-centered medical home requires the identification and treatment of patients with behavioral health concerns, leading to improved patient outcomes and reduced health care costs. Measurement-based care (MBC) for mental health conditions is an essential step in achieving these goals. Integrated primary care (IPC) administrators and providers are key leaders in MBC that spans initial screening for conditions to monitoring clinical outcomes over time. The purpose of this article is to assist IPC leaders, in partnership with their primary care team, in developing standard operating procedures for screening and follow up evaluations in order to lay a foundation for assessing program outcomes and improving quality of care in their unique settings.