Interprofessional Education: Preparing Psychologists for Success in Integrated Primary Care

Abstract

Rapidly occurring changes in the healthcare arena mean time is of the essence for psychology to formalize a strategic plan for training in primary care settings. The current article articulates factors affecting models of integrated care in Academic Health Centers (AHCs) and describes ways to identify and utilize resources at AHCs to develop interprofessional educational and clinical integrated care opportunities. The paper asserts that interprofessional educational experiences between psychology and other healthcare providers are vital to insure professionals value one another's disciplines in health care reform endeavors, most notably the patient-centered initiatives. The paper highlights ways to create shared values and common goals between primary care providers and psychologists, which are needed for trainee internalization of integrated care precepts. A developmental perspective to training from pre-doctoral, internship and postdoctoral levels for psychologists in integrated care is described. Lastly, a call to action is given for the field to develop more opportunities for psychology trainees to receive education and training within practica, internships and postdoctoral fellowships in primary care settings to address the reality that most patients seek their mental health treatment in primary care settings.

Preparing the Workforce for Behavioral Health and Primary Care Integration

“…3,11,22 Moreover, BHCs and PCCs are infrequently trained in collaboration or practicing in interprofessional settings. 6,17 Although increasing numbers of programs are emerging offering integrated care training for students, 6,11,[23][24][25][26] medical residents, 6,11,24,27,28 or postdoctoral trainees, 3 insufficient training capacity and practical experience opportunities continue to be major barriers to supplying the workforce needed for effective behavioral health and primary care integration. As practices and payers increasingly recognize the benefits of integrated care, the need and demand for competent clinicians to work in these integrated settings will grow.…”

“…[2][3][4] Presently, most PCCs and BHCs receive professional training in discipline-specific silos and in relative isolation from 1 another. 3,5,6 Although this is beginning to change, 7,8 the dominant paradigm has created BHCs and PCCs with little or no training in working collaboratively to deliver shared, patient-centered care. 3,9 -11 The workforce competencies, skills, behaviors, and attitudes health professionals need to work in integrated settings has been articulated in previous studies and reports.…”

Essential competencies for psychologists in patient centered medical homes.

“…Psychologists can also coordinate efforts for psychology trainees and primary care physician residents (or trainees from other disciplines) to see patients jointly, which provides both a teaching and leaming experience for each trainee. Engaging other health clinicians in the supervision process better integrates and enriches the training opportunities for psychology trainees to develop competencies in interprofessional ism and team based care (Cubic et al, 2012).…”

“…Trainees become familiar with each discipline's core sets of values and knowledge; view themselves as important change agents within health care settings; and gain the skills to operate effectively on primary care teams (Cubic et al, 2012).…”

Interprofessional education for first year psychology students: career plans, perceived relevance and attitudes

“…A further area of focus has been interprofessional collaboration within primary health care settings (Cubic et al, 2012;Winefield & Chur-Hansen, 2004). This focus within Australia followed the introduction of federal funding for clinical psychologists to work collaboratively with general practitioners (Winefield & Chur-Hansen, 2004).…”