Mental Health and Substance Abuse Screening in Primary Care

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Abstract

An automated screening system for substance abuse and mental health problems was developed and implemented in a rural primary care clinic. Eighty-nine patients were assessed with this system. The incidence of identified problems, 35% in total, was consistent with that found in previous studies of patients in general and medical settings. Additionally, over half of the patients assessed felt at least some need for mental health or substance abuse treatment. Nonetheless, because of the staff's concerns over patient privacy, impeding patient flow, and the physician's perceived ability to adequately identify these problems without assistance, the system was not adopted.
Original languageAmerican English
JournalJournal of Technology in Human Services
Volume21
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1 2003

Keywords

  • Automated assessment
  • mental health
  • primary care
  • screening
  • substance abuse

Disciplines

  • Social and Behavioral Sciences

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