Bipolar Disorder and Population Health

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry and Mental Health
• Primary Care Medicine
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Bipolar disorder treatment is often inadequate, with many patients not seeing a psychiatrist.
• A significant number of individuals with bipolar disorder seek care in primary care settings.
• Primary care patients with bipolar disorder experience high symptom severity and functional impairment, yet receive fewer mood stabilizers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore strategies for improving the treatment of bipolar disorder within primary care settings.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of collaborative care models for bipolar disorder in primary care.
• To identify needs for adapting existing collaborative care approaches for bipolar disorder.

Main Methods:

• Review of treatment considerations for bipolar disorder in primary care.
• Analysis of a prior statewide collaborative care program's outcomes for bipolar disorder patients.
• Discussion of potential enhancements to collaborative care, including telehealth and psychosocial support.

Main Results:

• One-third of bipolar disorder patients improved with treatment in a primary care collaborative care program.
• Current collaborative care models, adapted from depression treatment, may require strengthening for bipolar disorder.
• Patients in primary care settings are less likely to receive necessary mood-stabilizing medications.

Conclusions:

• Collaborative care shows promise but may need adaptation for bipolar disorder in primary care.
• Telehealth and integrated psychosocial support are potential strategies to enhance bipolar disorder treatment.
• Improving access to and quality of care for bipolar disorder in primary care is crucial.