Historically, integrated primary care (IPC) has served as the first-line and sometimes only point of treatment for many mental and behavioral health conditions. With a soaring demand for primary care provider (PCP) and Behavioral Health Providers (BHPs) limited time and resources, the need for additional care management and scaffolding of care between patient appointments would greatly aid in the treatment of mental health concerns in IPC settings. Mobile health (mHealth) apps can provide a means to address common barriers to accessing behavioral health care experienced by underserved populations in IPC settings. Two pilot studies were conducted to investigate the use of two mHealth apps deployed across multiple IPC clinics to address patients with depressive and trauma related symptoms. To better understand barriers contributing to recruitment challenges, healthcare professionals (N = 11) that would be involved in incorporating these apps into the clinical space were interviewed. Findings from these interviews indicate general support exists for this kind of digital intervention; however, barriers to its implementation persist. In this presentation we will discuss the lessons learned from working with healthcare providers, administrators, and staff to integrate two mHealth apps into the behavioral healthcare delivered across multiple IPC clinic sites. Consideration for future implementation strategies and workflows will be given and larger system level variables will be discussed. Additionally, findings from key stakeholders within the clinical and larger system who are instrumental in integrating mHealth app use within behavioral health care in IPC settings and further pushing the IPC healthcare system into the digital age are presented.
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