B2 – Collaborative (Integrated) Mental Health Care in Canada – The Next 10 years

Summary

Guided by 2 position papers prepared by the Canadian Psychiatric Association and College of Family Physicians of Canada in 1997 and 2011, these two organizations have spearheaded the movement in Canada towards collaborative (integrated) care and have outlined a framework within which collaboration has evolved. The last 10 years have seen significant progress across the country, including a wide range of innovative projects and models of practice and increased collaboration between planners and funders, and it is now a greater expectation of patients as well as providers. To build on these successes the two organizations decided to produce a new position paper with the goal of setting the stage for the next 10 years of collaboration in Canada. The strategy outlined is based upon 3 core values – 1) Improve access and equity, 2) Enhancing the experience of care in a patient and family-centred approach and 3) sustainable high quality services and programs through innovation, adaptability and enhancing the provider experience. The paper discusses the principles that should guide collaboration between services and between providers, and the potential goals of any project. It outlines the key components of effective projects, the roles of all team members – including patients – and changes required to support these initiatives. It also addresses medical care for people with mental illnesses, the potential uses of newer technologies, competencies required by providers, a training strategy for learners and an approach to evaluation using a quality framework. It also looks at changes any mental health service can make in their relationship with local primary care providers to improve access, communication and care co-ordination and increase system capacity, Finally it looks at how better collaboration can address wider challenges facing any health care system