Clinical practice by behavioral scientists in family medicine programs

Mental health liaison in primary health care is a salient but neglected area of concern. One element of such liaison is clinical service provided by behavioral scientists in family medicine residency training settings. The current study examined such clinical practice by specifying reasons for referral, chief complaints, psychosocial problems, dispositions, and treatments for family practice patients referred to three behavioral scientists across two settings. Results indicate that assessment and intervention are requested for a broad range of problems, with depression, anxiety, and psychophysiological disorders the most prevalent. Short-term therapy was the dominant form of treatment by the behavioral scientists.