Mental health care and nutrition. Integrating specialist services into primary care

Primary care reform is an important component of health services restructuring. One of the goals of primary care reform is to integrate specialized services into primary care settings. To date, few programs have successfully achieved this.

To integrate specialized mental health services into the offices of family physicians through the Hamilton Health Services Organization (HSO) Mental Health and Nutrition Program.

Since 1994, the Hamilton HSO Mental Health and Nutrition Program has integrated mental health counselors, psychiatrists, and dietitians into the offices of 87 family physicians. Activities of specialists are coordinated by a central administrative body.

Lessons learned from this program can indicate how to succeed in integrating specialist services into primary care offices.