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Medical Services for Clients in Community Mental Health Centers: Results From a National Survey

Dr. Druss is affiliated with Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health, 1518 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30322 (e-mail: bdruss{at}emory.edu). Dr. Marcus is with the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice, Philadelphia. Ms. Campbell and Mr. Ingoglia are with the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare, Rockville, Maryland. Dr. Cuffel and Dr. Harnett are with Pfizer, Inc., New York City. Ms. Mauer is with MCPP Consulting, Seattle, Washington.

OBJECTIVE: This study provides national data on community mental health centers' (CMHCs') capacity to screen for and address their clients' general medical conditions. METHODS: A survey was distributed to members of the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare, the oldest and largest association of CMHCs. RESULTS: Among the 181 CMHCs responding to the survey, more than two-thirds reported having protocols or procedures to screen for common medical problems (hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia, and diabetes). However, only one-half could provide treatment or referral for those conditions, and less than one-third could provide general medical services on site. Barriers to providing general medical services included problems in reimbursement, workforce limitations, physical plant constraints (for example, lack of available space or equipment), and lack of options for referrals to local community medical providers. CONCLUSIONS: Although most CMHCs had the capacity to screen for common medical conditions, they reported a variety of barriers to providing medical care for those problems either on site or via referral.

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