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

Caldwell, Barbara Ann; Alessi, Edward J; DiGiulio, Mary; Findley, Patricia; Oursler, Janice; Wagner, Mary

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.