Examining and Improving Provider Adherence to the Primary Care Mental Health Integration Model

Introduction The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is a national leader in integrated care, known in the VHA as the Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) model. This model is associated with improved quality of services and same-day access for veterans. There has been some recent development of PCMHI/integrated care competencies within VHA and across the nation. To fully implement these competencies, however, PCMHI providers must not only be trained, but their adherence to the PCMHI model must also be assessed. While there have been recent advances, there has been little research that has examined the adherence of PCMHI providers to the model or methods to improve adherence. Materials and Methods The present study sought to examine and improve the clinical practice of a team of eight PCMHI providers to make practice more adherent to the PCMHI model. This study was conducted at a large Midwestern VA Medical Center using interventions based in assessment, feedback, and training—measured at three points in time. The Primary Care Behavioral Health Provider Adherence Questionnaire (PPAQ; Beehler GP, Funderburk JS, Possemato K, et al.: Psychometric assessment of the primary care behavioral health provider adherence questionnaire (PPAQ). Transl Behav Med 2013; 3: 379–91.) was used to assess provider adherence and the PPAQ toolkit was used to provide tailored recommendations for improving provider practice. In addition, the VHA “Foundations Manual” and Functional Tool outlined essential behavioral targets that are consistent with the PCMHI model and the “essential provider behaviors” from the PPAQ. A combination of individual and group interventions was presented and adherence, pre and post, was assessed with the PPAQ and with evaluation of clinical practice data. Results Results indicated that the behavior of PCMHI providers changed over time, with providers exhibiting more PCMHI consistent behaviors and fewer inconsistent behaviors. Adherence to the PCMHI model increased. Conclusion Providing assessment, feedback, and training in the PCMHI model changed the clinical practice of PCMHI providers and resulted in improved adherence. Clinical and research implications are discussed.

Physician and behavioral health provider diagnostic agreement in a general hospital setting

Objective Behavioral health providers are often employed in inpatient settings. However, it is unclear if there is mental health diagnosis agreement between referring physicians and behavioral health providers. The purpose of this study is to assess for referring physician and behavioral health provider mental health diagnostic agreement in a general hospital setting. Method An analysis of 60 consecutive inpatient referrals to a behavioral health provider in a general hospital setting was conducted. The initial referral diagnosis from referring internal medicine physicians was compared with the diagnosis made by the behavioral health provider. Results Kappa statistics indicated good diagnostic agreement for substance abuse (.79), anxiety disorders (.82), adjustment disorders (.88), relational conflict (.88), and “other” (.74). There was less agreement for depressive disorders (.55). Conclusions Diagnostic agreement was good overall, suggesting that referrals to inpatient behavioral health providers are often appropriate. Results indicated that depression was underdiagnosed by physicians in the study sample. This is problematic given that depression can be successfully treated through the use of medication and psychotherapy.

Collaborative Care Models in Psychiatry

Integrated care models allow a team of providers to interact in a systematic manner, producing cost-effective and superior outcomes for patients. The collaborative care model (CCoM), one type of integrated care, has emerged as one approach with over 80 randomized controlled trials to support its efficacy. In this model, a behavioral health provider offers evidence-based, brief interventions but also serves as a liaison between the patient, medical providers, and the psychiatric consultant. The team also monitors outcomes through a registry and provides a stepped care approach to adjust interventions collaboratively, as needed. If the barriers to integrated care implementation are surmounted, psychiatrists working as consultants in this model can provide care in an efficient and sustainable manner. This review contains 5 figures, 5 tables, and 48 references. Key Words: barriers to implementation, behavioral health provider, collaborative care, cost-effective, integrated care, psychiatric consultant, cost-effective, registry, stepped care

2264 Early findings from a real-world RCT: Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for persistent pain in an integrated primary care setting

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: This study seeks to test the feasibility and effectiveness of a brief Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) treatment for patients with persistent pain in a patient-centered medical home. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Participants are recruited via secure messaging, clinic advertisements and clinician referral. Primary care patients age 18 and older with at least 1 pain condition for 12 weeks or more in duration are stratified based on pain severity ratings and randomized into (a) ACT intervention or (b) control group [Enhanced Treatment as Usual (E-TAU)]. Participants in the ACT arm attend 1 individual visit with an integrated behavioral health provider, followed by 3 weekly ACT classes and a booster class 2 months later. E-TAU participants will receive usual care plus patient education handouts informed by cognitive behavioral science. Currently, 17% of our overall goal of 60 patients have completed ACT or enhanced treatment as usual. Average participant age is 49 years old, 70% female, and 70% Hispanic/Latino. Most report multisite pain conditions (e.g., musculoskeletal, fibromyalgia) and 30% are taking opioid medications. Data analysis in this presentation will include early correlational findings from baseline assessments. Upon study completion, we will analyze data using a general linear mixed regression model with repeated measures. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: The overall hypothesis is that brief ACT treatment reduces physical disability in patients with persistent pain when delivered by an integrated behavioral health provider in primary care. By examining a subset of patients on opioid medications, we also anticipate a reduction in opioid misuse behaviors. Additionally, it is anticipated that improvements in patient functioning will be mediated by patient change in pain acceptance and patient engagement in values-consistent behaviors. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: This pilot study will establish preliminary data about the feasibility and effectiveness of addressing persistent pain in a generalizable, “real-world” integrated primary care setting. Data will help support a larger trial in the future. If effective, findings could improve treatment methods and quality of life for patients with persistent pain using a scalable approach.

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OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: This study seeks to test the feasibility and effectiveness of a brief acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) treatment for chronic pain patients in a primary care clinic METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Primary care patients aged 18 years and older with at least 1 pain condition for 12 weeks or more in duration will be recruited. Patients will be randomized into (a) ACT intervention or (b) control group. Participants in the ACT arm will attend 1 individual visit with an integrated behavioral health provider, followed by 3 weekly ACT classes and a booster class 2 months later. Control group will receive enhanced primary care that includes patient education handouts informed by cognitive behavioral science. Data analysis will include 1-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), multiple regression with bootstrapping. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: The overall hypothesis is that brief ACT treatment reduces physical disability, improves functioning, and reduces medication misuse in chronic pain patients when delivered by an integrated behavioral health provider in primary care. In addition, it is anticipated that improvements in patient functioning will be mediated by patient change in pain acceptance and patient engagement in value-consistent behaviors. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: This pilot study will establish preliminary data about the effectiveness of addressing chronic pain in a generalizable integrated primary care setting. Data will help support a larger trial in the future. Findings have potential to transform the way chronic pain is currently managed in primary care settings, with results that could decrease disability and improve functioning among patients suffering from chronic pain.