Name
The PCBH Companion Project: A UTRGV initiative
Description

This presentation will introduce the UTRGV PCBH PATHS and Companion Project, an educational solution for Primary Care Behavioral Health training in residency and other learning settings. PCBH Companion modules are designed to support learners in integrating behavioral health into primary care and meet all the Family Medicine Residency requirements. Materials are available via online training modules, podcast episodes, and curriculum for faculty to use. The poster will demonstrate how this multi-format approach enhances skill development, learner engagement, and adoption of integrated care practices.

Speakers
Deepu George, PhD
JoAnna Garza, LCSW
Maria (Lupita) Hernandez, MPA
Co-Authors
James Fahey, MD; Monica Perez, PhD
Content Level
All Audience
Tags
Innovations, Primary Care Behavioral Health Model, Workforce development
Session Type
Poster
Objective 1
Describe the structure and purpose of the PCBH Companion Podcast as a supplement to primary care behavioral health training modules.
Objective 2
Explain how pairing structured modules with podcast discussions supports knowledge translation and practical application of PCBH principles.
Objective 3
Highlight how a multi-format training approach can enhance learner engagement, skill development, and adoption of integrated behavioral health practices in primary care.
Content Reference 1

Hunter, C. L., Goodie, J. L., Oordt, M. S., & Dobmeyer, A. C. (2024). Integrated behavioral health in primary care: Step-by-step guidance for assessment and intervention (3rd ed.). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/0000380-000

Content Reference 2

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2021. Implementing High-Quality Primary Care: Rebuilding the Foundation of Health Care. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/25983

Content Reference 3

Funderburk, J. S., Wray, L. O., Martin, J., & Maisto, S. A. (2024). How do models of integrated primary care work? A proposed model for mechanisms of change using primary care behavioral health. Psychological services, 21(3), 569–580. https://doi.org/10.1037/ser0000871

Content Reference 4

Costantini, L., Pasquarella, C., Odone, A., Colucci, M. E., Costanza, A., Serafini, G., Aguglia, A., Belvederi Murri, M., Brakoulias, V., Amore, M., Ghaemi, S. N., & Amerio, A. (2021). Screening for depression in primary care with Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9): A systematic review. Journal of affective disorders, 279, 473–483. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2020.09.131

Content Reference 5

Maeng, D. D., Poleshuck, E., Rosenberg, T., Kulak, A., Mahoney, T., Nasra, G., Lee, H. B., & Li, Y. (2022). Primary Care Behavioral Health Integration and Care Utilization: Implications for Patient Outcome and Healthcare Resource Use. Journal of general internal medicine, 37(11), 2691–2697. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-021-07372-6