Primary Care People can reduce their risk of developing a major medical illness, receive more effective treatment, and reduce their health care costs when they seek treatment from an interdisciplinary team including behavioral and mental health care providers. Psychologists play an integral role in helping people modify their behavior to prevent and recover from medical and health problems. American health consumers and health care providers are better served when psychologists are included in primary care. Integration of psychological services in primary care increases quality of life. Psychologists design and implement interventions to help people manage their health.
Consumers value the role psychologists play in their primary care.
American Psychological Association, August 2000 APA Home Page .