K08 – Training Primary Care Providers and Behavioral Health Providers in Using the CHATS Framework to Facilitate Warm Handoffs in Integrated Pediatric Primary Care

Summary

Warm handoffs (WHOs) are an interaction between a behavioral health provider (BHP) and primary care provider (PCP) in which information about the patient’s presenting concern and plan for behavioral health services is discussed in collaboration with the patient (Pace et al., 2018). Effective WHOs are a critical component of integrated primary care and can promote patient engagement and facilitate the transfer of care from the PCP to the BHP (Gormley et al., 2020; Mitchell et al., 2022; Oppenheim et al., 2016; Young et al., 2020). Therefore, an essential part of workforce development includes training PCPs and BHPs in strategies they can use to complete effective WHOs and communicate information in a manner that is concise, informative, patient-centered, and empathetic. In this presentation, a framework used during WHOs called CHATS (Convene, History, Assessment, Triage, Safety/Supplementals/Schedule) will be described. Examples of how this framework can be used to engage patients, address safety concerns, and clarify the treatment plan will be shared. Strategies to train BHPs and PCPs in using this framework will also be described. Additionally, challenges to using the CHATS framework and strategies that can be used to overcome barriers to effective WHOs will be shared. Attendees will have the opportunity to apply the CHATS framework to vignettes and will be engaged in a discussion related to using this approach. Additionally, resources for supervisors and training directors regarding strategies that can be used to teach this framework to BHPs and PCPs will be provided.