Evidence Tools
MCHbest. Medical Home: Personal Doctor or Nurse.

Overview. System‐wide changes where behavioral health disorders can be prevented, diagnosed, and treated in pediatric primary care settings by a personal doctor could minimize unmet need and existing systemic barriers to care for children and their families. Many consider the pediatric medical home to be an ideal location to deliver behavioral health. (BH) prevention and treatment because of the near universality of well‐child visits, and because of the longitudinal relationship between providers and families.[1] Recent research supports a range of integrated pediatric behavioral health approaches with screening for behavioral health issues,[1] warm handoffs between colleagues,[1] co-located and collaborative care with youth receiving BH services at their primary care physician’s office [2], and provider and staff training to support team-based care[3] resulting in increased access to care, improved healthcare utilization, and enhanced patient outcomes with a more children and youth receiving integrated care from personal providers. Evidence suggests that integrated care is an effective way to ensure that primary care providers are offering a wide array of services and supports, including behavioral healthcare, to support the health and well-being of children and youth in their care.

Evidence. Moderate Evidence. Strategies with this rating are likely to work. These strategies have been tested more than once and results trend positive overall; however, further research is needed to confirm effects, especially with multiple population groups. These strategies also trend positive in combination with other strategies. (Clarifying Note: The WWFH database calls this "some evidence").

Access the peer-reviewed evidence through the MCH Digital Library or related evidence source. (Read more about understanding evidence ratings).

Source. Peer-Reviewed Literature

Outcome Components. This strategy has shown to have impact on the following outcomes (Read more about these categories):

• Access to/Receipt of Care. This strategy increases the ability for individuals to obtain healthcare services when needed, including preventive, diagnostic, and treatment services.
• Mental Health. This strategy promotes emotional, psychological, and social well-being of individuals and communities.
• Patient Experience of Care. This study improves individuals' perceptions, feelings, and satisfaction with the healthcare services they receive.

Detailed Outcomes. For specific outcomes related to each study supporting this strategy, access the peer-reviewed evidence and read the Intervention Results for each study.

Intervention Type. Direct Care (Read more about intervention types and levels as defined by the Public Health Intervention Wheel).

Intervention Level. Individual/Family-Focused

Examples from the Field. There are currently no ESMs that use this strategy. As Title V agencies begin to incorporate this strategy into ESMs, examples will be available here. Until then, you can search for ESMs that have similar intervention components in the ESM database.

Sample ESMs. Here are sample ESMs to use as models for your own measures using the Results-Based Accountability framework (for suggestions on how to develop programs to support this strategy, see The Role of Title V in Adapting Strategies).