Making a Difference: Why Physician-Led Psychiatric Care Matters
Written by Malcolm Fraser, MD, CMD - Medical Affairs Advisor, Behavioral Health Solutions
When I was first introduced to Behavioral Health Solutions (BHS) about three years ago, the organization was just entering the Colorado market. Today, BHS serves more than one-third of all nursing homes in the state. One of the primary reasons for this rapid growth is simple: BHS is physician-led.
My first interaction with BHS came through an invitation from the Chief Medical Officer at the time—himself a board-certified psychiatrist—to visit a nursing home where I was serving as the medical director. During that initial conversation, he made two promises that immediately stood out.
“FFPCs”: Fewer Friday Phone Calls
After more than fifteen years as a nursing home medical director, Friday afternoons had become some of the busiest times of the week. Facilities often scrambled to “clear the board” before the weekend, particularly when psychiatric issues arose.
That changed with BHS.
Psychiatric-related FFPCs—fewer Friday phone calls—essentially disappeared. Issues were addressed proactively, decisions were well-supported, and communication was timely. That promise held true not only then, but continues today under the leadership of Dr. James Mauldin, Chief Medical Officer, and Dr. Asma Farooq, Colorado Regional Medical Director.
Prompt, Reliable Communication
The second promise was just as important: prompt communication. Calls, texts, and emails were returned quickly—and consistently. In long-term care, responsiveness isn’t a luxury; it’s essential to safe, compliant, and effective care. BHS delivered on that commitment, and it remains a defining feature of the organization.
The Strength of a Physician-Led Clinical Model
One of BHS’s greatest strengths is its clinical model. In most markets we serve, BHS is the only nursing home psychiatric services group led by board-certified psychiatrists, with physician assistants and nurse practitioners working collaboratively under their supervision.
This structure ensures that mid-level providers always have direct physician backup when complex clinical or survey-related issues arise—an enormous advantage for facilities.
By contrast, many psychiatric service groups are not physician-led. In those models, when serious psychiatric issues emerge, nurse practitioners may lack immediate access to physician-level support. This creates significant liability and uncertainty for nursing homes. At BHS, a board-certified psychiatrist is always available to guide care and ensure safe, compliant decision-making.
Matching the Right Expertise to the Right Need
Physician assistants and nurse practitioners play a vital role in managing routine psychiatric care and medication management. However, only psychiatrists have the full medical training and residency experience necessary to oversee high-acuity patients and help facilities navigate complex survey expectations.
Each discipline brings essential strengths—but it is the physician-led foundation that uniquely positions BHS to support facilities, residents, and survey outcomes at the highest level.
Matching the Right Expertise to the Right Need
BHS’s continued growth is not accidental. It is the result of a deliberate, physician-led approach to psychiatric care in long-term care settings.
Board-certified psychiatrists working collaboratively with a full clinical team ensure care that is safe, effective, responsive, and survey-ready—delivering real value to the facilities and residents we serve.
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