Based on research demonstrating the prevalence of mental health care needs among the growing population of older American adults and the efficacy of collaborative care models, an operational, evidence-based model of collaborative health care is proposed, employing functional domains that operationally define the role of the independent practitioner psychologist and provide for interdisciplinary collaboration within the limitations of current health care systems and resources. The Multiple Domain Collaborative Care (MDCC) model uniquely includes assessment of functioning in the technology domain, and is person-centered, including among its goals maintaining or restoring a meaningful social role for the older adult. The Multiple Domain Collaborative Care (MDCC) model provides a meaningful role for the independent practitioner psychologist conducting multidimensional assessment that informs the development of a treatment plan within a collaborative interdisciplinary treatment team, can lead to earlier intervention, and allows for treatment plan revision over time, with benefit to the patient and the economy.
Clinical Impact StatementThe Multiple Domain Collaborative Care (MDCC) model provides the independent practice psychologist a structured framework for quickly identifying psychosocial and functional concerns prevalent among the growing population of older Americans. Assessment in 6 functional domains facilitates evidencebased interdisciplinary assessment and treatment decisions, with the goals of interdisciplinary communication and coordination of care, early referral to specialists when indicated, increased efficacy of treatment, and reduced cost.
In the absence of data indicating that older adults utilize information technology (IT) for communicating with health care providers or insurers, Medicare, private insurers and providers of health care have increasingly defaulted to use of websites and IT for patient communication. The Functional Assessment of Currently Employed Technology Scale (FACETS) assesses an individual’s use of various information technologies (ITs). Research using FACETS has demonstrated that use of the internet and other IT declines significantly with increasing age beyond 60 years, especially for accessing health care. In the context of the current COVID-19 crisis, Medicare’s restrictions on reimbursement for the use of the telephone for accessing health care are discussed as a barrier to care. Recommendations are made for increasing access to care, as well as increasing the use of FACETS to assess which media are most available to older adults for accessing health care.
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