Warm Handoffs and Attendance at Initial Integrated Behavioral Health Appointments

Ann Fam Med. 2018 Jul;16(4):346-348. doi: 10.1370/afm.2263.

Abstract

Though integrated behavioral health programs often encourage primary care physicians to refer patients by means of a personal introduction (warm handoff), data are limited regarding the benefits of warm handoffs. We conducted a retrospective study of adult primary care patients referred to behavioral health clinicians in an urban, safety-net hospital to investigate the association between warm handoffs and attendance rates at subsequent initial behavioral health appointments. In multivariable analyses, patients referred via warm handoffs were not more likely to attend initial appointments (OR = 0.96; 95% CI, 0.79-1.18; P = .71). A prospective study is necessary to confirm the role of warm handoffs.

Keywords: behavioral health attendance; integrated behavioral health; warm handoffs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Boston
  • Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / standards
  • Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / therapy*
  • Middle Aged
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Patient Handoff*
  • Poverty
  • Primary Health Care / standards
  • Primary Health Care / statistics & numerical data
  • Referral and Consultation / standards
  • Referral and Consultation / statistics & numerical data*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Young Adult