Developing a Care Management Toolkit Through a Community Partnership 53 views

Title: Integrated Behavioral Health in Pediatric Primary Care: A Case-Based Workflow Comparison Background: Children and adolescents frequently present with behavioral health needs in primary care, yet traditional referral-based models contribute to fragmented care and unmet needs. The 2021 U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory, Protecting Youth Mental Health, reports that approximately half of the 7.7 million U.S. children with treatable mental health conditions do not receive adequate treatment; making primary care the de facto mental health system for many youths. Purpose: This manuscript examines the role of integrated behavioral health (IBH) in pediatric primary care and its potential to improve coordination and continuity of care for children and adolescents. A case-based example models how IBH workflows differ from traditional referral-based behavioral health care in the primary care setting. Approach: This case-based literature informed narrative compares two pathways: a traditional referral-based behavioral health approach and an IBH system embedded in pediatric primary care. The IBH case demonstrates the integration of structured screening processes, care coordination, and follow-up within workflows, emphasizing the roles and processes that support integrated care delivery. Implications: This comparison illustrates how IBH models support earlier identification, improved access to care, and more coordinated, continuous management of behavioral health needs in pediatric populations. This case-based comparison illustrates how IBH can reduce delays in care, improve patient engagement, and decrease reliance on crisis-level services. These findings also support the potential for broader implementation of IBH across pediatric primary care settings to improve both patient and clinician outcomes.

DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice)

English

All rights reserved by the author (no additional license for public reuse)

2026-04-26