C7 – Rising to the Challenge: Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities in Improving Population Behavioral Health in an Integrated Health System

Summary

Improving dissemination and implementation of evidence-based practices (EBP) in integrated behavioral health (IBH) is inextricably linked to the need to improve quadruple aim outcomes to compete in an ever-changing health care landscape. In our integrated health system, since 2011 we have expanded from 3 to 11 pediatric IBH sites since 2011 and from 0 to 8 adult IBH sites using a variation of the PCBH model to address local needs in access to high-quality behavioral health care. In 2017, we added embedded research to increase capacity for applied research and in 2019 we engaged in organizational restructuring to facilitate continued growth and collaboration between adult and pediatric IBH. In this presentation, we will briefly describe the evolution of our PCBH model related to improving EBP and illustrate aspects of our progress, challenges, and opportunities in improving population behavioral health. The model is based on integrating complementary frameworks, including a) conceptualization of health care as a co-created service between patients, providers, and transdisciplinary researchers; b) extending the learning health care system approach to behavioral health; and c) leveraging contextual behavioral science principles to enable dissemination and implementation of innovations. Together, our framework supports both transformation and continuous improvement towards high value behavioral health care. We will also illustrate applications of this model by highlighting three projects: 1) A mixed methods project engaging patients and providers to develop and conduct preliminary user testing of a behavioral intervention technology platform to empower parents to take charge of their child’s behavioral healthcare; 2) implementation of interdisciplinary primary care resident training in behavioral health; and 3) incorporation of a precision health youth advisory council into stakeholder feedback for quality improvement of youth suicide prevention efforts.