Clinical Health Services Council
Integrated Primary Care Committee
The purpose of the Integrated Primary Care Committee is to advance psychologists’ efforts to establish a presence in primary care settings. Integrated primary care represents a relatively recent development in the structure of primary care systems that emphasizes a collaborative interdisciplinary approach to patient care. Research suggests that more than half of patients seen in primary care settings meet criteria for mental disorders; mental disorders significantly complicate the treatment of medical conditions; and many mental disorders involve a significant behavioral component.
Psychologists and other mental health professionals can play a critical role in changing lifestyle factors that can affect chronic medical conditions. Because of their expertise in program development and evaluation, psychologists are also in a unique position to contribute to interdisciplinary primary care and improve treatment outcomes.
The Integrated Primary Care Committee is working on the development of a coherent strategy for increasing psychologists’ placement in primary care settings. One focus of the committee is the creation of training opportunities for psychologists to prepare them for working in collaborative primary care teams. Another is addressing professional and legal obstacles to this work. The committee currently consists of approximately 60 members who are leaders in primary care psychology. Membership is by recommendation from another member of the committee.
APA Interdivisional Healthcare Committee
ABPP/American Board of Clinical Health Psychology
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Members
Lisa K. Kearney, PhD, ABPP
Clinical Health Services Council Chair
Virginia Andersen PhD
Cerissa Blaney PhD
Daniel Bruns, PsyD
APA Interdivisional Healthcare Committee Member
Shawna L. Ehlers, PhD
Member, Clinical Health Services Council
William Gunn, PhD
Integrated Primary Care Committee
Nancy Ruddy, PhD
Integrated Primary Care Committee Co-Chair
Anoushka Shahane
Student Member
Madeline Johnson
Student Member Associate Chair
Barbara Ward-Zimmerman, PhD
Integrated Primary Care Committee Co-Chair