Name
Enhancing competency-based integrated care training through experiential learning
Description
Traditional knowledge-based training alone is insufficient for preparing mental and behavioral health providers to thrive in integrated care settings. This presentation explores the critical role of active learning methods, such as role-playing and case simulations, in building the skills necessary for high-fidelity integrated care. In this talk, we will discuss the evidence supporting experiential learning, highlight real-world examples of how these techniques improve provider confidence and clinical effectiveness, and share lessons learned from implementing a nationwide competency-based training for mental and behavioral health providers working in specialty medical clinics. Attendees will participate in discussion and experiential activities to enhance their understanding of the role that interactive, skill-focused learning can play in improving provider readiness.
Speakers
Rachel Allen PsyD, Education and Implementation Specialist, US. Department of Veterans Affairs, Syracuse, NY
Kristen Perry, Associate Director, Center for Integrated Healthcare (VISN 2),
Katherine Dollar PhD, ABPP, Executive Director, Center for Integrated Healthcare (VISN 2), Syracuse, New York
Kristen Perry, Associate Director, Center for Integrated Healthcare (VISN 2),
Katherine Dollar PhD, ABPP, Executive Director, Center for Integrated Healthcare (VISN 2), Syracuse, New York

Co-Authors
Jennifer Patterson, Ph.D., ABPP, National Director of Integrated Services, Veterans Health Administration, Washington, DC
Content Level
All Audience
Tags
Primary Care Behavioral Health Model, Training/Supervision, Workforce development
Session Type
Concurrent
SIG or Committee
Primary Care Behavioral Health (PCBH)
Objective 1
Describe the limitations of traditional knowledge-based training in preparing mental health providers for integrated care settings.
Objective 2
Evaluate the effectiveness of experiential learning methods in improving provider competence and confidence in integrated care.
Objective 3
Discuss strategies for implementing experiential learning methods into existing training programs to enhance provider readiness and patient access in medical settings.
Content Reference 1
Kearney, L. K., Dollar, K. M., Beehler, G. P., Goldstein, W. R., Grasso, J. R., Wray, L. O., & Pomerantz, A. S. (2020). Creation and implementation of a national interprofessional integrated primary care competency training program: Preliminary findings and lessons learned. Training and Education in Professional Psychology, 14(3), 219–227. https://doi.org/10.1037/tep0000263.
Content Reference 2
Montesinos, L., Salinas-Navarro, D. E., & Santos-Diaz, A. (2023). Transdisciplinary experiential learning in biomedical engineering education for healthcare systems improvement. BMC medical education, 23(1), 207. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-023-04171-x.
Content Reference 3
Meyer, E. G., Cozza, K. L., West, J. C., & Hamaoka, D. (2023). The Effectiveness of Online Experiential Learning in a Psychiatry Clerkship. Academic psychiatry : the journal of the American Association of Directors of Psychiatric Residency Training and the Association for Academic Psychiatry, 47(2), 181–186. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40596-023-01755-z.
Content Reference 4
Moledina, A., Ruller, S., Halman, S., & Ying, Y. (2024). Assessing resident experience of a new experiential learning health advocacy curriculum: a mixed methods study. BMC medical education, 24(1), 988. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-05961-7.
Content Reference 5
Anderson, K., Gupta, S., Nava Buenfil, F., & Verrinder, G. (2022). Using experiential learning and authentic assessments to support students to become competent health promotion practitioners. Health promotion journal of Australia : official journal of Australian Association of Health Promotion Professionals, 33 Suppl 1(Suppl 1), 27–34. https://doi.org/10.1002/hpja.654.