- http://www.healthpolicysolutions.org/2012/05/30/cracking-the-health-integration-code/
- http://www.healthpolicysolutions.org/2011/04/01/clinic-for-migrants-melds-medicine-and-mental-health/
- http://www.healthpolicysolutions.org/2012/09/25/melding-mental-physical-health-a-struggle/
- http://www.healthpolicysolutions.org/2011/09/21/treating-mental-health-woes-could-save-billions/
Provide names of other journalists involved.
My editor is Diane Carman.
List date(s) this work was published or aired.
30-May-12
Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
We have been reporting for nearly two years on a group of 11 clinics and health systems around Colorado who have been experimenting with the integration of medical and mental health. While some of the largest systems have struggled the most, ironically, a tiny clinic in a remote Colorado town is having the greatest success at melding the very divergent systems of physical and behavioral health. We traveled to Cortez to learn how they’re trying to spark a revolution in health care.
Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
The biggest investment was time. For nearly two years since the spring of 2011, when I wrote a story about integration at a clinic that primarily served migrant health workers, I’ve been following a Colorado group that is trying to blend physical and mental health care. Through my reporting on this group, I learned about the Cortez clinic and flew to this remote area to report on it.
Explain types of human sources used.
I interviewed the clinic manager, their technology director, providers, nurses, patients and families of patients to learn how care at this clinic differs from typical care. I also interviewed health integration experts.
Results:
The Cortez clinic has become a model for health integration and could provide a blueprint for other communities. Experts on health integration have shared our story extensively.
Follow-up (if any). Have you run a correction or clarification on the report or has anyone come forward to challenge its accuracy? If so, please explain.
We have not done any corrections. We continue to follow the Colorado experiment and have written about the clashes between experts who focus on mental health vs. providers who primarily tend to physical health. The gulf between the two worlds is vast. In light of the Aurora, Colorado theater shooting and the Newtown school shooting, there is a heightened interest in how we care for the mentally ill. We think this topic is critical and we will keep covering it.
Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
I benefitted greatly from spending time with experts in these fields. I have attended their semi-annual weekend conferences to build relationships and learn about challenges. Then, I followed up through clinic visits. Finding and telling good stories is about good old-fashioned reporting.