Name
From Prescription to Practice: Implementing Digital Mental Health Technologies Within Collaborative Care Using Culturally Responsive Digital Navigation
Description

Primary care is increasingly the frontline for behavioral health treatment, yet workforce shortages and specialty access barriers limit timely care. Digital mental health technologies (DMHTs) offer scalable stepped-care interventions but frequently fail to achieve sustained patient engagement when implemented without human support or integration into clinical workflows. This oral presentation describes the implementation of a culturally responsive Digital Navigator model embedded within Collaborative Care serving primary care patients. Using early findings from the Emory ACCESS implementation pilot, presenters will demonstrate how digital navigation can support patient engagement, strengthen team-based care, and create sustainable workflows for integrating DMHTs into routine behavioral health care. Practical implementation lessons for health systems and integrated care teams will be highlighted.

Content Level
Intermediate
Tags
Collaborative Care Model of Integrated Care, Financing and Operational Sustainability, Innovations
Session Type
Concurrent
Objective 1
Describe key barriers to implementing digital mental health technologies within integrated primary care settings
Objective 2
Explain the role of a Digital Navigator in supporting patient engagement and culturally responsive delivery of digital mental health technologies (DMHTs)
Objective 3
Identify practical strategies for integrating digital mental health tools within Collaborative Care workflows while maintaining financial sustainability
Content Reference 1

Torous J, et al. Digital mental health and COVID-19: using technology today to accelerate the curve on access and quality tomorrow. JMIR Mental Health. 2020.

Content Reference 2

Mohr DC, et al. The behavioral intervention technology model: an integrated conceptual and technological framework for eHealth and mHealth interventions. J Med Internet Res.

Content Reference 3

Graham AK, et al. Implementation of digital mental health interventions in health systems. Psychiatric Clinics of North America. 2022.

Content Reference 4

Patel SY, et al. The Collaborative Care Model and digital mental health integration. Psychiatric Services. 2023.

Content Reference 5

Lattie EG, et al. Digital mental health implementation and engagement strategies in health systems. NPJ Digital Medicine. 2022.