Today's Practice: Changing the Business of Medicine TP2018Q2DigitalEditionWeb | Page 17

We Can Do Better Dr. Jason Friday, MD Delivering Care The treatment plan put together by the behavioral health professional will consist of care delivery and/or care coordination and be specific to each patient. Depending on the presenting patient’s needs and prefer- ences, coupled with the primary care practice’s level of behavioral health integration, care may be delivered by the primary care practice itself or by an external special- ty provider. Two components are important to delivering and coor- dinating care and are often overlooked by primary care providers. Patients are often in denial of depression or afraid of the stigma that they associate with the illness. TODAY’S PRA C T I C E: C HA NGI NG T HE BUS I NES S OF M ED ICINE 16