Integrated Care in Psychiatry: Redefining the Role of Mental Health Professionals in the Medical Setting is a landmark title in the field, offering a clear, detailed, and cohesive call by leading experts for coordinated care for patients with concurrent psychiatric and medical conditions. The renowned editors and authors argue that what is slowly occurring, and greatly needed at a faster pace, is nothing less than a sea change in the way that psychiatric care will be delivered. The current, mostly segregated, medical and psychiatric model of care has led to the development of competing medical and psychiatric subcultures that have resulted in a lack of dialog among health providers, administrators, and payers – and thus in less than optimal patient outcomes. To remedy this problem, the book offers a practical, insightful road map to achieving the central tenet of health reform – truly coordinated, patient-centered care where the care experience for the patient, the medical care itself, and the cost outcomes improve as the system changes from fee-for-service to population-based health. An invaluable reference for all clinicians, policy makers, payers, administrators, and others interested in the debate surrounding healthcare systems, Integrated Care in Psychiatry: Redefining the Role of Mental Health Professionals in the Medical Setting is a major contribution to the literature and a gold standard resource.
Roger G. Kathol, MD, CPE, President of Cartesian Solutions, Inc.™, is an innovative health strategist in the development of integrated programs and systems for patients with health complexity, many of whom have concurrent general medical and mental health/substance use disorders. He is board certified in internal medicine, psychiatry, and medical management with extensive clinical and administrative experience as a physician/teacher/researcher and as an international health complexity consultant. Dr. Kathol serves as strategy and healthcare advisor to several national and international organizations and foundations. Since leaving the University of Iowa after 22 years of direct patient care, research, and teaching, he worked to integrate physical and mental health business practices as Medical Director at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota and has completed over 125 integrated care consultations. Dr. Kathol is currently adjunct professor of internal medicine and psychiatry at the University of Minnesota. Paul Summergrad, MD, is the Dr Francis S. Arkin Professor and Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry at the Tufts University School of Medicine, where he is also Professor of Medicine, and Psychiatrist-in-Chief of the Tufts Medical Center all in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Summergrad also serves as Chairman of the Tufts Medical Center Physicians Organization.
