Evaluating the Effectiveness of Integrated Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services in Primary Care Settings in Ohio, USA

Abstract

The growing overlap between mental health disorders and substance use conditions has led to increased adoption of integrated behavioral health models within primary care settings. This study evaluates the effectiveness of integrated mental health and substance abuse services in primary care clinics across Ohio, USA, using exclusively electronic health record (EHR) data for assessment. To achieve the aim of this study, two research questions guided the study, corresponding to two research hypotheses. The study employed a retrospective cohort design to analyze EHR-derived measures including diagnostic patterns, treatment engagement, care coordination indicators, medication adherence, and clinical outcomes such as symptom improvement and reduced acute care utilization. The study population included all the 869 adult patients receiving integrated behavioral health services between January, 2023 to December 2024 in five primary health clinics in Ohio. Data obtained from the electronic health record (EHR) were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Hierarchical Regression Analysis. Findings from the analysis of data reveal that, integration significantly improved depression, anxiety, and substance use outcomes over 12 months, reduced emergency department visits, and increased patient satisfaction. Based on these findings, it was recommended that, government should expand training and recruitment of behavioral health professionals in primary care settings to ensure adequate staffing for integrated services. Also, there should be investment in interoperable electronic health records and telehealth platforms to facilitate coordination between primary care providers and behavioral health specialists.