Psychology in Patient-Centered Medical Homes: Reducing Health Disparities and Promoting Health Equity

• Published in: The American psychologist Vol. 72; no. 1; pp. 28 - 41
• Main Authors: Farber, Eugene W, Ali, Mana K, Van Sickle, Kristi S, Kaslow, Nadine J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Psychological Association 01-01-2017
• Subjects: Cross Cultural Differences; Equality; Equity; Health behavior; Health care delivery; Health Care Psychology; Health Disparities; Health Equity; Health Promotion; Health Services Accessibility; Healthcare Disparities; Human; Humans; Interdisciplinary aspects; Mental health services; Occupational roles; Patient Care Team; Patient-Centered Care; Prospects; Psychologists; Psychology; Psychology, Clinical; Residential Care Institutions; Service provision; Specialists; Teams; Underserved populations; Well Being; patient-centered medical home; behavioral health; health disparities
• ISBN: 9781433890321; 1433890321
• ISSN: 0003-066X; 1935-990X
• DOI: 10.1037/a0040358

With persisting health disparities contributing to a disproportionate impact on the health and well-being of socially disenfranchised and medically underserved populations, the emerging patient-centered medical home (PCMH) model offers promise in bridging the health disparities divide. Because behavioral health care is an important component of the PCMH, psychologists have significant opportunity to contribute to the development and implementation of PCMH services in settings that primarily serve medically underserved communities. In this article, after briefly defining the PCMH model and its role in clinical settings for medically underserved populations for whom health disparities are present, roles of psychologists as interprofessional collaborators on PCMH medical care teams are explored. Next, the constellation of competencies that position psychologists as behavioral health specialists to contribute to PCMH care teams for medically underserved groups are characterized. The article concludes with reflections on the prospects for psychologists to make tangible contributions as health care team members toward reducing health disparities and promoting health equity in patients served in the PCMH.