EVALUATION OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES PROVIED IN A UNIVERSITY-BASED PRIMARY CARE CLINIC

Abstract

EVALUATION OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES PROVIED IN A UNIVERSITY-BASED PRIMARY CARE CLINIC By Elizabeth Sadock A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2012. Major Director: Stephen Auerbach, Ph.D. Professor Department of Psychology Primary care clinics are increasingly integrating psychological services into their service programs; however few studies have provided quantitative data to support these services. This study served as a program evaluation of the psychological services provided at the Ambulatory Care Clinic at the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia. It includes: 1) a description of the program, including types of patients served, their presenting problems, and treatments administered and 2) evidence of the impact of mental health services on primary care patients’ emotional adjustment and progress on behavioral goals. Data on exposure to stressful life events and intake and follow-up measures of depression, anxiety, smoking, insomnia, chronic pain, and weight loss were collected on 452 adult primary care patients. Although inferences are limited by the lack of a control or comparison group, preliminary findings indicate that the mental health services provided were effective. Implications and future directions are discussed.