Name
Poster 33 - Train, Deploy, Monitor: Evaluating a Workforce Development Model's Efficacy in Enhancing Competencies for Integrated Behavioral Health Care
Description

The heightened need for skilled behavioral health professionals in primary care in Puerto Rico has been compounded by socioeconomic hardships and the lasting effects of significant natural disasters. The Train-Deploy-Monitor model was conceived to address this need while creating a framework for workforce development in integrated primary care. The model intertwines comprehensive training, strategic intern deployments across primary care centers and hospitals, and ongoing performance evaluations to produce adept practitioners ready for interprofessional work. We evaluated the progress of 45 clinical psychology interns across successive cohorts from 2018 to 2024. Interns were predominantly PsyD students (73%), with a significant majority being female (89%) and Hispanic or Latino (100%). Additionally, a notable proportion of the interns came from disadvantaged backgrounds (31%) and over half reported a rural residential background (58%). Data was gathered through supervisor evaluations and intern reports. We utilized descriptive statistics and paired t-tests to assess performance improvements in the competencies of science, professionalism, and application, and substance use and opioid use disorder (SUD/OUD) management. Statistically significant improvements were identified with competency scores rising from an initial average of 3.4 to 4.7 in science, 3.6 to 4.7 in professionalism, and 3.4 to 4.7 in application, and 3.4 to 4.3 in SUD/OUD competencies (p < .05 for all categories).Additionally, we paired samples t-test to analyze the variation in case discussion rates from the first (Q1) to the fourth quarter (Q4) of internship. This rate serves to quantify interprofessional interactions. The analysis revealed a statistically significant increase from Q1 to Q3 and Q4. These findings endorse the Train-Deploy-Monitor model as an effective approach for preparing students for the demands of integrated care, suggesting a promising avenue for building up the behavioral health workforce in regions confronting similar healthcare challenges. 

Date & Time
Friday, October 25, 2024, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Speakers
Nydia Cappas, Director Primary Care Psychology Program, Ponce Health Sciences University
Viviana Hoyos, Associate Professor, PC Psychology Prog. Coordinator, Ponce Health Sciences University
Valerie Toro, Primary Care Psychology Program Coordinator, Ponce Health Sciences University
Content Level
All Audience
Session Type
Poster
Location Name
Lone Star DEF & Corr.
Objective 1
Describe the main components of the Train-Deploy-Monitor model’s approach to developing behavioral health competencies in primary care.
Objective 2
Evaluate the effectiveness of the Train-Deploy-Monitor model as a workforce development strategy.
Objective 3
Formulate strategies for adapting and applying the Train-Deploy-Monitor model to similar healthcare contexts.
Content Reference 1
McDaniel, S. H., Grus, C. L., Cubic, B. A., Hunter, C. L., Kearney, L. K., Schuman, C. C., Karel, M. J., Kessler, R. S., Larkin, K. T., McCutcheon, S., Miller, B. F., Nash, J., Qualls, S. H., Connolly, K. S., Stancin, T., Stanton, A. L., Sturm, L. A., & Johnson, S. B. (2014). Competencies for psychology practice in primary care. American Psychologist, 69(4), 409–429. https://doi.org/10.1037/A0036072
Content Reference 2
Zittleman, L., Curcija, K., Nease, D. E., Fisher, M., Dickinson, L. M., Thomas, J. F., Espinoza, A., Sutter, C., Ancona, J., Holtrop, J. S., & Westfall, J. M. (2022). Increasing Capacity for Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder in Rural Primary Care Practices. Annals of Family Medicine, 20(1), 18–23. https://doi.org/10.1370/AFM.2757
Content Reference 3
Boland, D. H., Juntunen, C. L., Kim, H. Y., Adams, E. M., & Navarro, R. L. (2019). Integrated Behavioral Health Curriculum in Counseling Psychology Training Programs. Counseling Psychologist, 47(7), 1012–1036. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011000019895293
Content Reference 4
Lerman, S. (2019). ¿Qué Sistema de Salud? Broken Health Care in Puerto Rico. Medical Anthropology: Cross Cultural Studies in Health and Illness, 38(3), 210–223. https://doi.org/10.1080/01459740.2018.1506451