Integrating Biopsychosocial Intervention Research in a Changing Health Care Landscape

Abstract

Objective: Safety net care systems are experiencing unprecedented change from the Affordable Care Act, Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) uptake, health information technology application, and growing of mental health care integration within primary care. This article provides a review of previous and current efforts in which social workers deliver biopsychosocial depression care. Method: Recent research trials tested biopsychosocial care for patients with major depression and concurrent illness and technology-facilitated patient–provider and provider–provider communication within the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS). In addition, qualitative studies assessed patient, social worker, and medical provider perceptions. Results: DHS has recently activated its PCMH model, technology applications aimed at facilitating cross-provider communication, and the integration of colocated social workers. Conclusions: This article demonstrates both need and opportunity to develop, apply, and test social work integrated biopsychosocial and technology activated care within a large safety net care system.