Teamwork in Mental Health: The Key to Better Care

Written By: Gabby Smith

June 7, 2024

Collaboration is an extremely important part of mental health care. As a mental health therapist, I’ve seen firsthand how a treatment team that uses the expertise of a variety of health professionals can improve quality of care for the patient.

What is Collaborative Care?

Collaborative care is more than sharing views; it’s about improving the treatment process by including several different diverse insights and expertise. It’s a team and collective effort where, for example, a therapist’s understanding can broaden a psychiatrist’s view and vice versa. This team approach not only increases the quality of care but also ensures a thorough treatment approach that addresses both mental and physical health needs​​​​.

Choosing Your Providers:

When looking for health care providers, consider the following criteria to make sure they use the collaborative care model:

Experience and Specialization: Choose professionals with a proven track record in your specific health related concerns.

Communication Skills: Effective treatment requires clear, empathetic, patient, and safe communication. Choose providers who take the time to listen to your concerns and provide a safe environment for you to express your needs.

Willingness to Collaborate: Your providers should be open to working with other specialists. Choose providers who value teamwork and value the insight from other providers.

Patient Compatibility: Make sure you feel comfortable and understood by your treatment team. Choose providers who consider and pay attention to your preferences.

The Impact of Collaborative Care

Research and case studies show the benefits of collaborative care in improving patient outcomes. For example, integrated care models, where mental and physical health care are treated together, have shown to increase patient satisfaction, enhance treatment engagement, and potentially reduce healthcare costs. This approach not only addresses the medical and psychological aspects of health but also takes into account the social aspects of health that influence wellbeing, such as Economic Stability, Neighborhood, Environment, Education, Access to Food, Community, Safety, and Health Care Systems ​.

Health Trauma and Emotional Challenges

When a patient feels guilt or shame about their health, they are less likely to get the treatment they need. Collaborative care plays a big role in addressing these challenges. By creating an environment of understanding and support, teams that include several different kinds of providers can better help patients manage these emotional challenges. Providers who pay attention to your preferences and consider patient needs can decrease feelings of shame, guilt, health anxiety, or fear surrounding providers.

The collaborative care model encourages patients to take an active role in their treatment, from voicing what they want, to participating in decision-making processes. When patients have a voice, they feel empowered to be a bigger part of their own healthcare.

Tips for Effective Collaboration in Mental Health Care

Shared Decision-Making: Choose providers who involve patients in their care plans to enhance their sense of control and ownership of their health journey. This also improves patients’ knowledge and understanding of their health conditions and empowers them to advocate for the healthcare needs.

Open Lines of Communication: Make sure all team members, including the patient, are on the same page for treatment goals and approaches.

Continuous Learning and Adaptation: Learn about the diverse perspectives within your team to improve treatment strategies and outcomes.

Collaborative care is an example of how mental health treatment is changing. We are valuing the importance of a united front in health care, where the collective knowledge of a diverse treatment team is prioritized to provide the most effective care possible. As mental health professionals, using this model can lead to more meaningful and successful outcomes for everyone.

Resources

1. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/progress-notes/201906/collaboration-is-vital-effective-mental-health-treatment

2. https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/March-2022/Why-We-Need-Mental-Health-Care-Integration

3. https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/why-collaboration-is-essential-in-mental-health-care-0310164#:~:text=A%20collaborative%20mental%20health%20treatment,room%20visits%20and%20inpatient%20stays.

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