The psychiatric-mental health crisis requires an innovative approach for early identification and timely access to services. The demand for services is especially high for populations experiencing multiple stressors and disproportionate challenges related to social determinants of health. This presentation outlines how an academic-community partnership was leveraged to develop a community participatory research study to create an interprofessional approach for assessing and managing the psychiatric-mental health needs of community members receiving services at an urban community healthcare clinic. This clinic provides free healthcare services to individuals who are uninsured or underinsured.
The population served at the clinic is ethnically and culturally diverse and economically disadvantaged with a disproportionately high rate of risk factors. This includes being at risk for psychiatric-mental illness related to the adverse life experiences, existence of co-occurring medical conditions, and inadequate support systems and access to services.
The project team included clinic staff and a licensed mental health therapist, community members, and university faculty including advanced practice nursing, dentistry, occupational therapy, pharmacy, and the executive director of the center for interprofessional practice education. Additional members of the team included an occupational therapy student who served as a graduate research assistant and a health science librarian to facilitate timely literature search supporting an evidence-based approach.
A priority of this project was the direct community involvement which included participation in the project design, individual survey development, focus groups and ongoing input regarding the assessment tool and the interprofessional practice team process. The individual surveys were translated into the four most common languages of individuals served at the healthcare clinic. Focus groups were completed using interpreter services to promote inclusion of individuals from diverse backgrounds.
The focus group themes informed the creation of an interprofessional assessment tool and interprofessional practice team process to improve timely access to quality mental health services. The themes included definition of healthcare team, bridging gaps among services, connectivity and trust, accessibility, communication and language barriers, stigma, and integration of physical and mental health.
The project aims including development of an interprofessional psychiatric-mental health intake tool and establishment of an interprofessional practice team process were achieved and evaluated using evidence-based tools.
This project increased knowledge of the contribution each member of the interprofessional team has in the promotion of psychiatric-mental health.
In support of improving patient care, this activity is planned and implemented by The National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education Office of Interprofessional Continuing Professional Development (National Center OICPD). The National Center OICPD is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
As a Jointly Accredited Provider, the National Center is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. The National Center maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive continuing education credits.
The National Center OICPD (JA#: 4008105) is approved by the Board of Certification, Inc. to provide continuing education to Athletic Trainers (ATs).
This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credit for learning and change.
Physicians: The National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education designates this live activity for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with their participation.
Physician Assistants: The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) accepts credit from organizations accredited by the ACCME.
Nurses: Participants will be awarded contact hours of credit for attendance at this workshop.
Nurse Practitioners: The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program (AANPCP) accepts credit from organizations accredited by the ACCME and ANCC.
Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians: This activity is approved for contact hours.
Athletic Trainers: This program is eligible for Category A hours/CEUs. ATs should claim only those hours actually spent in the educational program.
Social Workers: As a Jointly Accredited Organization, the National Center is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. The National Center maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive continuing education credits.
IPCE: This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credits for learning and change.
Learners can claim CE credit by completing the Daily Evaluation.
