Name
Alleviating Social and Psychological Ill-being Research & Evaluation (ASPIRE) Study: Developing a Behavioral Health Intervention for Cancer Patients and Survivors in Primary Care
Date & Time
Friday, October 17, 2025, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Description

The ASPIRE Study aims to address the care gap for cancer patients and survivors in underserved communities, where psychosocial distress worsens health outcomes and chronic conditions. It will expand Primary Care Behavioral Health (PCBH) services by integrating same-day behavioral health consultations within primary care. By embedding these services, the study seeks to improve access to care for patients facing mental health challenges. Ultimately, the ASPIRE Study evaluates the impact of this integration on patient outcomes in underserved populations.

Speakers
Deepu George PhD, LMFT, Associate Professor, Director - Integrated Behavioral Health, Primary Care & Community Medicine ISU, UTRGC School of Medicine, Bala Cynwyd, Texas
Lupita Hernandez MPA, Director of Special Programs-PCBH Integration, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Pharr, Texas
Monica Perez PhD, Research Associate, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, School of Medicine, McAllen, Texas
Deepu George Monica Perez
Content Level
Intermediate
Tags
Population and public health, Primary Care Behavioral Health Model, Underserved populations such as LGBTQ+
Session Type
Poster
SIG or Committee
Primary Care Behavioral Health (PCBH)
Objective 1
Describe how integration of PCBH services in primary care settings is an effective strategy to increase behavioral health services and reduce psychosocial distress in underserved cancer patients.
Objective 2
Identify the impact of the PF pathway on behavioral and biological health outcomes and serve as a scalable model for enhancing behavioral health access in similar populations.
Objective 3
Discuss the benefits of embedding behavioral health into primary care.
Content Reference 1

Gloster, A. T., Walder, N., Levin, M. E., Twohig, M. P., & Karekla, M. (2020). The empirical status of acceptance and commitment therapy: A review of meta-analyses. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 18, 181-192.

Content Reference 2

Kanzler, K. E., McGeary, D. D., McGeary, C., Blankenship, A. E., Young-McCaughan, S., Peterson, A. L., . . . Goodie, J. L. (2022). Conducting a pragmatic trial in integrated primary care: Key decision points and considerations. Journal of clinical psychology in medical settings, 29, 185-194.

Content Reference 3

King Jr. , P. R., Beehler, G. P., VanTreese, K., Johnson, E. M., Buchholz, L. J., & Wray, L. O. (2023). Patient acceptability, use, and recommendations to improve interventions delivered in primary care behavioral health. Professional Psychology: Research and practice, 54(2), 188-195.

Content Reference 4

Mathew, A., Doorenbos, A. Z., Jang, K. M., & Hershberger, P. E. (2021). Acceptance and commitment therapy in adult cancer survivors: a systematic review and conceptual model. Journal of Cancer Survivorship(15), 427-451.

Content Reference 5

Petts, R. A., Lewis, R. K., Brooks, K., McGill, S., Lovelady, T., Galvez, M., & Davis, E. (2022). Examining patient and provider experiences with integrated care at a community health clinic. J Behav Health Serv Res, 49(1), 32-049. doi:10.1007/s11414-021-09764-2