New guides added to growing compendium of behavioral health resources

CHICAGO — The American Medical Association (AMA) has added four new practice guidelines to the Behavioral Health Integration (BHI) Compendium of best-in-class resources designed to help physicians and health systems create practices that integrate health services for the mental and physical needs of the sick.

“For medical practices looking to accelerate behavioral health integration, especially given the acute increase in psychological distress and trauma created during the COVID-19 pandemic, the trusted online resources offered by the BHI Compendiums provide a proven path to implementation and lasting success,” said AMA President, Gerald E. Harmon, MD

The new practical guides expand and enhance the ongoing work of the BHI collaboration, established and supported by the AMA and seven other leading medical associations, to make mental health care more accessible by helping physicians and their care teams to overcoming barriers to successful behavioral health. the integration.

Four key barriers to accessible and equitable treatment for patients’ behavioral, mental and physical health needs are addressed in the new guides, along with practical strategies for overcoming each barrier. These barriers include:

Practice Workflow Design – The Workflow Guide identifies key questions and criteria to help establish an effective and efficient integrated workflow to meet the behavioral health needs of patients.

Pharmacological treatment – The Psychopharmacology Guide offers strategies to reduce the stigma associated with psychopharmacology and understands best practices for treating patients with psychotropic medications, as needed.

Screening and Treatment for Substance Use Disorders – The Substance Use Disorders Guide provides concrete, evidence-based steps to identify and treat unhealthy substance use and abuse in patients.

Prevention of suicide in patients at risk – The Suicide Prevention Guide helps identify at-risk patients and direct them to the most appropriate treatment plan.

The BHI Collaboration also offers a series of webinars with free access to remote learning opportunities to accelerate behavioral health integration. The growing series covers BHI topics that include collaborative cultures, billing and coding, privacy and security, telehealth and health equity.

Through the continued work of the BHI Collaborative and in partnership with other leading medical organizations, the AMA is committed to helping physicians navigate and succeed in an ever-changing healthcare environment, while ensuring a professionally satisfying and lasting medical practice experience that meets the full spectrum of patient health needs.

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