Anxiety Management in Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria within Integrated Primary Care

Abstract

We report a case of a patient seen within Integrated Primary Care at a collegiate health center for treatment of comorbid idiopathic urticaria and anxiety. Following medical consultation within Primary Care, Emergency services, and Asthma and Allergy Specialists, Primary Care Behavioral Health services were consulted. Here, we describe the Behavioral Health Consultant (BHC) model within primary care and the collaborative nature of the model. The benefits of this collaboration allowed the patient’s primary care provider (PCP) to use appointment times efficiently and to rely on the BHC to address the complexities of the patient’s underlying stress and anxiety. We detail the ways in which the BHC model contributed to significant decreases in the patient’s symptoms of anxiety and depression. Finally, we recommend expansion of programs providing opportunities for training in the integrated primary care model.