Behavioral healthcare documentation in electronic medical records (EMRs) poses both challenges as well as opportunities to integrate behavioral healthcare with the overall healthcare delivery system. EMRs offer the ability to provide timely behavioral healthcare information to primary and specialty care physicians that can enhance care coordination. Yet a primary concern is addressing the importance of confidentiality.

This article focuses on two areas. First, we examine the fundamental issues healthcare providers and leaders should consider in determining how behavioral healthcare documentation should be integrated into EMRs. Second, we consider potential strategies to ...