PCBH Corner #20: The PCBH Lexicon: Learning the Language of Primary Care

Drs. Beachy and Bauman sit down to discuss the importance of the PCBH lexicon and how it differs from traditional mental health settings.

[changebehaviorsnow]

Awesome I loved the clarity in being intentional in matching your language to that of the team

[bridget.beachy]

So glad we made this corner! Proud of this one for sure!

[VegGirl]

I use consult vs visit or session. And instead of intervention, I use 'adjunctive strategy' or 'adjunctive treatment' or 'additional strategies along the behavioral, social, emotional lines'.

[jjeenniis]

I really appreciate this video and am sharing it with my team! Quick (or maybe not so quick) question- how do you have your primary care staff schedule warm handoffs in a way that's seamless for the patient?

[cjames]

This may be one of those instances where 'it goes without saying' but just in case... Adopting/sharing a lexicon is important for the reasons mentioned here--both explicit (true integration and team participation) and implicit (or those I inferred, such as increased efficiency and safety.) I think it might also be important to point out the role of a shared lexicon in the dissemination and uptake/utilization of scientific knowledge. Given what we are learning in the fields of medicine, epigenetics, and more, it is fairly safe to say that there is little (if any) real distinction to be made between mental and physical health. We (psychological science, behavioral medicine, AND traditional medicine) are producing research of utmost relevance and clinical value to *all* healthcare settings, their respective providers, and to the patients and communities they serve. By employing the dominant lexicon of healthcare, behavioral scientists and scientist-practitioners improve the likelihood of fulfilling our responsibility to translate good evidence into meaningful practice. In other words, a shared lexicon also promotes good stewardship of evidence from the bench to the bedside.

[LaceyBolduc]

Correct, I have "a different set of rules" AKA personal boundaries of what I'm willing to tolerate in my professional sphere. I can see both sides of this "full integration" argument quite easily.