Researchers Push for Psychologists in Primary Care

September 29, 2026 - 23:58

A team at a Canadian university is urging a major shift in how mental health care is delivered, arguing that psychologists should be embedded directly into primary care clinics across the country. The recommendation follows a pilot program at the university that demonstrated the model can succeed within the existing health care structure.

Under the current system, family doctors often identify mental health concerns but have limited options for referring patients. Wait times for specialized services can stretch for months, leaving people without support during critical periods. The pilot program placed psychologists on site at primary care practices, allowing patients to receive assessment and treatment during the same visit or shortly after.

Researchers say the results were clear. Patients accessed care faster, doctors reported less strain, and the arrangement reduced pressure on emergency departments and other overburdened services. The team argues that integrating psychologists into primary care is not just practical but necessary, given the rising demand for mental health support nationwide.

The researchers acknowledge that funding, training, and regulatory changes would be required to scale the approach. Still, they contend the pilot offers a working blueprint. They are calling on health authorities and policymakers to treat the model as a serious option for reform rather than an experiment.