Behavioral health disorders (mental health problems and substance use disorders) are highly prevalent, negatively impact chronic medical illness, and raise the overall cost of health care from increased emergency department utilization, hospital readmission rates, and occupational disability.1-3 Psychiatrists make up a scarce and expensive resource needed to address the demand for treatment of patients with behavioral health disorders. Patients in rural areas are even more in need as problems with access and capacity persist, particularly as psychiatrists are located primarily in major cities and urban areas.
