A few months ago, I was experiencing some significant stress in multiple microsystems of my life and was implementing many of my tried-and-true strategies to ground myself in my values and practice self-compassion. One night at dinner, my children were asking about differences I had in schools. It is important to know that, as the […]
I’m going to make an argument here that the antidote to political uncertainty and rapid change in the healthcare landscape is community, particularly local community. And in so doing I’m also tying us to a promise that this community, the Collaborative Family Healthcare Association (CFHA), will be a nexus of moral strength and innovation for […]
If you are a clinician you know the feeling. It’s that moment in a care process with a patient where you could do more or choose to do less. You battle internally to decide what to do and ultimately you know you can’t live with yourself if you choose to do less. That’s our moment as […]
5 Minute Read. As a seasoned professional in integrated care, I’ve been part of a pioneering generation that sought to blend medical and behavioral health services to improve patient outcomes, particularly with the advent of the Primary Care Behavioral Health service delivery model (PCBH). Reflecting on this journey, it’s clear that while we’ve made significant […]
By Neftali Serrano, PsyD, 2 Minute Read In recent years, the struggle to retain and recruit behavioral health providers has intensified within primary care. A closer examination of this trend reveals a significant underlying cause: the selection bias rooted in the mental health provider training process. This bias not only shapes the career preferences of […]
4 minute read In our first blog post on March 3rd, 2023, we reported on efforts by the Primary Care Behavioral Health Special Interest Group (PCBH SIG) to advance the understanding of screening and outcome measurement in demonstrating the value of the integrated model of service delivery. Since that time a Measurement-Based Care (MBC) workgroup […]
5 minute read On July 13, 2023, Health Federation of Philadelphia (HFP) announced a new investment in integrated care by the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services (DBHIDS), which will allow HFP to hire a Director of Behavioral Health Integration position. The new Director will be responsible for leading all training and […]
3 minute read In spring 2022, CFHA CEO Neftali Serrano approached the Primary Care Behavioral Health Special Interest Group (PCBH SIG) to begin the work of catalyzing standardized outcomes for measuring success in a PCBH environment. This invitation was warmly received as the role of the PCBH SIG is to grow interest and enthusiasm, provide […]
3 minute read. Original post available here Returning to the PCBH (Primary Care Behavioral Health) world after a week off is always an exciting, yet frightening experience. My mind always worries when returning to clinical work. “Will I still be able to do this?” “Do I still got what it takes?” And, then, all that doubt […]
3 minute read. Original post available here As I was talking with one of our medical assistants (MA) after a visit she helped interpret for, we both agreed, “its good to get a win.” One of my favorite parts about spring is the intentionality that graduation and orientation season brings to reflect on the past year, […]
4 minute read. Original post available here With onboarding our new behavioral health consultant (BHC) interns and family medicine (FM) residents, we have had numerous conversations and presentations regarding the importance of integrating a contextual, compassionate approach to healthcare. Regardless of it being delivered by a BHC, by a primary care provider (PCP), by a […]
5 Min Read. Filling that integrated care position at your clinic feel tough? You are not alone. Positions for mental health professionals of all types in primary care have grown in the last few years (see our job board and our map) and the options for mental health professionals have also expanded with telehealth uptake, […]
There are many good reasons for the strain and experience of burnout among healthcare professionals at-large and primary care teams specifically, but there may be a hidden factor affecting your integrated behavioral health staff that you may not have yet considered: role diffusion. The shorthand version for this phenomenon is, “your staff is trying to […]
Five Minute Read Operating as a behavioral health consultant (BHC) in primary care has always demanded flexibility but never more so than during the pandemic. Things have changed significantly and it’s worthwhile for us to reflect on those changes, not with resistance, but simply with acknowledgment and mindfulness about what those changes mean. So, this […]
3 minute read Efficient care and high productivity are essential elements for behavioral health consultants (BHC) practicing the Primary Care Behavioral Health (PCBH) model. But there can be quite a bit of variability in how clinics measure quality and productivity. Metrics can include the number of patients seen, the relative value of each intervention provided, […]
