TRANSPARENCIES

A monthly newsletter from Integral Care.

January

A Message From Our CEO

 

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that “there is no health without mental health.” Through half a century of serving our community, we know mental health and physical health go hand-in-hand. To treat one condition without recognition and treatment of another can result in patients needing more care without experiencing improved health outcomes. Since 2009, Integral Care has provided integrated mental and primary health care at our clinics, treating the health care needs of the whole person.

 

As part of an ongoing collaboration with the Dell Medical School, Integral Care offers mental health care to patients at three integrated care specialty clinics operated by UT Health Austin. One of those clinics launched last month – a new mental health clinic jointly operated by Integral Care and the Dell Medical School, and part of the Mulva Clinic for the Neurosciences, is serving people who are experiencing bipolar disorder.

 

The clinical team includes a Dell Med psychiatrist specializing in bipolar disorder as well as Integral Care licensed therapists and a licensed vocational nurse who provide mental health support to patients. Together, we are leveraging our combined skill sets, experience and knowledge to improve the health of individuals living with complex mental health issues in our community.

 

Integral Care also offers mental health care to patients at Dell Medical School specialty clinics for orthopedics and women’s health. Integrated care clinics maximize the health and well-being of patients as they treat not only a disease, but also the related conditions that commonly occur along with it. The goal is more efficient and effective care that results in improved patient experience and health outcomes.

 

We are proud to collaborate with Dell Med to bring innovative practices to Travis County. Learn more about our partnership with Dell Medical School and what’s on the horizon for mental health in Travis County.

 

David Evans

Chief Executive Officer

Partner Highlight

Dell Medical School

 

Dell Medical School’s mission – revolutionize how people get and stay healthy by improving health in our community – is a natural fit for a partnership with Integral Care.

 

The collaboration between Dell Med and Integral Care goes beyond the Mulva Clinic’s Bipolar Disorder Center and integrated care specialty clinics. Research efforts are helping to deliver innovative care to people who depend upon the federal, state and county-funded safety net for healthcare services. This means some Integral Care patients now have access to cutting-edge treatments through enrollment in research studies. In addition, Dell Med researchers, armed with data and population health strategies, are working to reduce health disparities that affect Travis County communities.

 

Another benefit of the collaboration is workforce development. Dell Med students start seeing patients at Integral Care in their second year of training. Students shadow Integral Care staff in the field on a weekly basis, as they meet with clients and support the mental health of individuals experiencing homelessness, living with HIV,  experiencing a mental health crisis and who recently moved into housing. Exposing students to community-based health care early in their training broadens their understanding of the many factors that impact health – beyond the clinical diagnosis.  Additionally, research shows that individuals are more likely to stay and practice in communities where they train. Dell Med creates a tremendous opportunity to grow our healthcare workforce. With early exposure to community mental health, we hope to encourage some to choose psychiatry. Regardless of whether students choose to specialize in psychiatry, our future medical providers are getting an inside look at mental health and substance use disorder and how individuals can get on a path to recovery, strengthening the well-being of an entire community.

 

The unique partnership between Dell Medical School and Integral Care is improving access to quality mental health services for Travis County residents. We will keep you updated on this important effort in the year ahead.

The Future of Mental Health

Austin State Hospital Redevelopment

 

Some big news rings in the New Year. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) awarded $15.5 million for planning the redevelopment of the Austin State Hospital into an epicenter for an improved system of collaborative, community-focused care for Central Texans living with mental health issues.

 

The University of Texas and the Dell Medical School are partnering with the state to lead the redesign effort. A group including Integral Care, Central Health, HHSC, the University of Texas System and state Senator Kirk Watson will work together to create the Texas Brain Health Center on the state hospital campus. The center will transform neurological and mental health care through innovative, person-centered facilities and programs that guide and integrate into the region’s system of brain health care. The re-imagined campus will also help fulfill a proposal that Senator Watson put forward last year to transform the site into a state of the art center for brain health innovation and treatment.

 

We look forward to sharing more information throughout 2018 about this exciting redevelopment and important collaboration.

Archive

December : Strength Through Community

November : Healthy Lifestyles Improve Well-Being

October : National Child Health Day

September : Strengthening Families and Communities

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