Psychologists are experts in behavior and mental health, but can they have an impact on our physical health?

Behavioral health teams working in tandem with primary care physicians can improve

outcomes and reduce cost. So how does it work? We speak with one psychologist who focuses on patient-centered

and integrated health care, providing more comprehensive and coordinated care for patients and their

families. I'm Audrey Hamilton, and this is speaking of psychology.

Parinda Katri is a chief clinical officer at Cherokee Health Systems, a comprehensive community

health care organization with 56 clinical sites in Tennessee.

Dr. Kotri provides oversight and guidance on blended primary care and behavioral health

services within the organization.

In addition, she trains, consults, and presents extensively on integrated care.

Thank you for joining us, Dr. Katri.

Thank you very much.

We hear a lot today about integrated health care.

You know, are patient-centered health care and integrated health care the same thing?

Well, they certainly are related, but they are not the same thing.

Patient-centered care is really about a model of care

that focuses on comprehensive, holistic care that is coordinated,

provides access and emphasizes quality and safety.

And so a patient-centered care is really an overall model of care, an approach to care.

Integrated care is a pathway, if you will, to patient-centered care.

So integrated care is an approach to care in which primary care, medical clinicians,

and behavioral health clinicians work closely together as part

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