Family physicians are often the first — and sometimes only — mental health resource available to patients. Dr. Kathleen Mueller shares how small changes in how doctors practice can make a profound difference.
Kathleen Mueller, M.D.
Board Member, American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)
How can family physicians better integrate mental health screening into routine primary care visits?
Screening for mental health can be as routine as screening for blood pressure, cancer, or other diseases. Sending screening surveys to patients to fill out before their visit gives physicians more time to evaluate responses and thoughtfully prepare for the appointment.
What can primary care practices do to expand access to mental health treatment when specialists are scarce?
Family physicians have always been on the front lines of mental healthcare with our patients, often discussing mental well-being with them before they ever see a specialist. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to mental healthcare or referrals, but we can screen, prescribe medication, and discuss mental health challenges right in our office. For patients needing more support when a specialist isn’t an option, we can have them come in for regular follow-up appointments, giving them that extra level of support when they need it most.
What small changes in a physician’s workflow can make the biggest difference for patients with mental health needs?
Utilizing tools to help relieve administrative burden, like AI technologies and pre-screening forms, can help physicians spend more time face-to-face with patients. Those extra minutes allow for more in-depth discussions and are crucial when a patient is struggling and needs more time to open up.
How can family doctors normalize mental health conversations so patients feel more comfortable seeking help?
As a family physician, I’m often the first line of care for patients struggling with their mental health. Because of my long-term relationship with patients that spans many years, I can pick up on mood and demeanor changes year over year. If a routine screening indicates the patient might be struggling, I like to open the conversation gently. Sometimes patients struggle verbalizing what they’re going through, whether that’s a challenging life event like grief or a move, or a mental illness like depression or anxiety. I remind them that I’m their partner in health and am here to help them live healthy, fulfilling lives. From there, we can make a plan to address their mental health concerns. Those approaches can vary from lifestyle changes to medication interventions to behavioral health referrals. Reminding patients that I’m here to walk this journey with them and that they’re not alone is crucial to include in every conversation.
