Integrating Behavioral Health into Primary Care: The Role of Psychiatric Nursing in the Development of the Interprofessional Team

Issues Ment Health Nurs. 2021 Aug;42(8):758-767. doi: 10.1080/01612840.2020.1867676. Epub 2021 Feb 4.

Abstract

Background: Integrated behavioral health in a primary care setting is a paradigm shift that requires academic reconfiguration on how health care professionals are educated and trained in the clinical arena.

Method: An academic university was able to create interprofessional didactic and clinical learning experiences for students within the Schools of Nursing, Social Work, Health Professions-Rehabilitation Counseling Department and Pharmacy resulting in improved models for patient care delivery.

Results: Interdisciplinary faculty developed the didactic, clinical and evaluative areas based on the HRSA grant work plan. Deliverables included 18 modules, case studies focused on population health, and team-focused standardized patient experiences to test their behavioral health and psychiatric skills in a primary care setting.

Conclusions: Faculty from the different disciplines were able to collaborate on the deliverables, take the opportunities to engage students and collaborate on scholarly presentations at a national, state and local professional organizations. Academic course for interprofessional practice has been developed and implemented as an outcome of this grant.

MeSH terms

  • Health Personnel
  • Humans
  • Interprofessional Relations
  • Patient Care Team
  • Primary Health Care
  • Psychiatric Nursing*