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Administration and policy in mental health
05, 2021;48 (3): 551-563.

Understanding Health Talk in Behavioral Health Encounters: A Qualitative Analysis.

Elizabeth B Matthews, Lynden Bond, Victoria Stanhope
Author Information
  1. Elizabeth B Matthews: Graduate School of Social Service, Fordham University, 113 W 60th St, New York, NY, 10023, USA. Ematthews13@fordham.edu. ORCID
  2. Lynden Bond: New York University Silver School of Social Work, 1 Washington Plaza, New York, NY, 10003, USA.
  3. Victoria Stanhope: New York University Silver School of Social Work, 1 Washington Plaza, New York, NY, 10003, USA.
PMID: 32964333 DOI: 10.1007/s10488-020-01088-1

Abstract

Although physical and behavioral health conditions commonly cooccur, best practices making behavioral health treatment responsive to clients' health needs are limited. Particularly little is known about how physical health is addressed by clinicians within routine therapeutic treatment. This study describes the frequency and type of health talk occurring within integrated behavioral health sessions, and explores how this talk functions within ongoing therapeutic work. Participants in this study included 51 dyads of clinical social workers (n = 13) and clients (n = 51) receiving therapy within an integrated community health and behavioral health center. Therapy sessions were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Content analysis determined the frequency and content of health talk in sessions. Thematic analysis was used to understand the function of health talk within these visits. Health talk occurred in 92% (n = 47) of sessions. Clients initiated the majority of discussions. Talk about sleep (40%, n = 19), diet/exercise (35%, n = 16), and chronic health conditions (28%, n = 13) were most common. Health talk either complimented or conflicted with therapeutic work, depending on the topic discussed and when it occurred during session. Health talk changed the scope of therapeutic work by integrating care coordination into routine practice. Health talk was pervasive and was frequently initiated by clients, signaling its relevance to clients' recovery. Providers leveraged heath talk to complement their therapeutic work, but these strategies were not universally applied. Care coordination activities were a part of routine therapy. Practice and policy changes that support a more interdisciplinary approach to clinical work are needed.

Keywords

Behavioral health services Health literacy Health promotion Integrated care

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Grants

  1. R01 MH099012/United States

MeSH Term

Chronic Disease
Humans
Journal Article
Article has an altmetric score of 1

Word Cloud

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