About this episode

Shannon Connolly discusses the role of family physicians in mental health care and the importance of behavioral health integration.

In this episode of Inside Family Medicine , Shannon Connolly , MD, FAAFP , a ssociate m edical d irector at the Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties, discusses family physicians' crucial role as the first and sometimes only point of contact for mental health care , especially in underserved settings. She explains how psychosocial and behavioral factors underlie many primary care challenges such as complex pain, substance use disorders and uncontrolled chronic disease . Connolly s hares a patient story illustrating how integrated support (therapy, social work and appropriate medications ) improved both mental health and diabetes outcomes. She outlines behavioral health integration models, including physician-delivered care, co-located primary care behavioral health and the registry-driven collaborative care model, highlighting benefits for patient outcomes and physician workload. The conversation also addresses access barriers, telehealth as a scaling strategy and the importance of destigmatizing physicians seeking mental healthcare to combat burnout, depression and anxiety. Topics By Timestamp 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 01:00 Why Family Medicine 01:38 Path…

People in this episode

Host: American Academy of Family Physicians

Guest: Shannon Connolly

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties

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