Meeting the Challenge of Preparing Social Workers for Integrated Health Practice: Evidence From Two MSW Cohorts

Who Am I and What Do I Do?

“…Second, students participated in a free-write and guided discussion to assess knowledge and skill gained and contribution of training program components to learning and preparation for practice. Results of student learning outcomes related to competency attainment as assessed by the 5-point scale and discussion of associated knowledge and skill development are reported in Rishel and Hartnett (2017). The current study addresses the following research question: How does interprofessional education contribute to professional identity development in graduates of a behavioral health-training program?…”

“…This coordination of services relies on effective interprofessional collaboration and communication (Vogel et al, 2017). In response to this need, academic programs across the country have developed training models to prepare students to work effectively in interprofessional settings (e.g., Abu-Rish et al, 2012;Bridges et al, 2011;Davis et al, 2015;Rishel & Hartnett, 2017;Zerden et al, 2017). For social work students, this means an increased likelihood of completing field placement experiences in settings where they work closely with colleagues from many professions, in comparison to working solely or mostly with other social workers.…”

“…Students also participated in interprofessional education opportunities through full day workshops held each semester that included participants from a wide variety of professions to learn about and discuss specific topic areas relevant to integrated health care. A full description of the training model can be found in Rishel and Hartnett (2017).…”

A Qualitative Study of Perceptions and Attitudes of Counselor Trainees and Other Health Professionals about Including Counselors on Integrated Care Teams

“…However, training for counselors on specific skills and competencies needed for effective practice in the integrated care environment has been found to be lacking (Bhat, 2019;Blount & Miller, 2009;Gluek, 2015;Putney, et al, 2017;Rishel & Hartnett, 2017). Gluek (2015) investigated the roles of currently practicing counselors in integrated care facilities and found that none of the participants had received training specific to integrated care in their graduate programs.…”

“…JHHSA Vol 45, Issue 1 however, for the system to work effectively, it is important for the health care providers to be trained in operating within an integrated care model (Gluek, 2015;Putney, et al, 2017;Russell, 2010). While certification programs are emerging, such as the American Mental Health Counselors Association's (AMHCA) Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialist-Integrated Behavioral Health Care credential (AMHCA, 2021), curriculum in counselor education programs on how to function in an integrated care environment has been found to be lacking for mental health professional trainees (Bhat, 2019;Blount & Miller, 2009;Gluek, 2015;Putney, et al, 2017;Rishel & Hartnett, 2017). To begin to address this gap in training, the authors applied funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide internship opportunities to master's level counselor trainees at a hospital-sponsored free integrated care clinic in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States.…”