Evaluation of enhanced mental and behavioral health training for family medicine residents: a research protocol

Abstract Background The treatment gap for mental and behavioral health (MBH) in the United States (US) remains a major public health concern. Given the growing need for a robust MBH workforce, particularly for underserved populations, calls for integrated MBH in primary care have been mounting. Fami...

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Main Authors: Elena Gardner, Robert W. Owens, Katherine T. Fortenberry, Karly Pippitt, Dominik J. Ose, Susan Cochella
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-12-01
Series:BMC Primary Care
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-024-02656-2
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author Elena Gardner
Robert W. Owens
Katherine T. Fortenberry
Karly Pippitt
Dominik J. Ose
Susan Cochella
author_facet Elena Gardner
Robert W. Owens
Katherine T. Fortenberry
Karly Pippitt
Dominik J. Ose
Susan Cochella
author_sort Elena Gardner
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The treatment gap for mental and behavioral health (MBH) in the United States (US) remains a major public health concern. Given the growing need for a robust MBH workforce, particularly for underserved populations, calls for integrated MBH in primary care have been mounting. Family medicine providers, who know and can treat all members of a family within the same setting, are uniquely positioned to manage MBH conditions. Objectives With HRSA funding, the University of Utah Family Medicine Residency (UUFMR) seeks to address gaps in mental health services by enhancing or developing MBH training and partnerships. This protocol describes the project’s evaluation. The evaluation aims to identify areas to improve training content, describe training capacity, and assess intermediate outcomes of improved trainings. Methods The evaluation consists of three components: analyzing current curriculum and best practices, developing or enhancing trainings with partners, and assessing residents’ and graduates’ confidence in providing MBH care. Results The results from this protocol fill gaps in the current literature regarding evaluation methods for provider- and organizational-level outcomes of increased quality and capacity of residency training in MBH. Further, the results provide practical guidance for other residencies seeking to integrate MBH training into their curriculum. Conclusion Considering the resources committed to the ongoing enhancement of resident education, it is crucial to evaluate the implementation and outcomes of improvements to ensure that limited resources are well-utilized. Assessing the training capacity developed through collaboration supports progress toward creating a high-quality, accessible, and integrated mental and behavioral healthcare system in primary care.
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spelling doaj-art-19d4a9421f3743db9c4822cbeca5b5b22025-08-20T02:31:47ZengBMCBMC Primary Care2731-45532024-12-012511710.1186/s12875-024-02656-2Evaluation of enhanced mental and behavioral health training for family medicine residents: a research protocolElena Gardner0Robert W. Owens1Katherine T. Fortenberry2Karly Pippitt3Dominik J. Ose4Susan Cochella5Department of Family and Preventative Medicine, University of UtahDepartment of Family and Preventative Medicine, University of UtahDepartment of Family and Preventative Medicine, University of UtahDepartment of Family and Preventative Medicine, University of UtahDepartment of Family and Preventative Medicine, University of UtahDepartment of Family and Preventative Medicine, University of UtahAbstract Background The treatment gap for mental and behavioral health (MBH) in the United States (US) remains a major public health concern. Given the growing need for a robust MBH workforce, particularly for underserved populations, calls for integrated MBH in primary care have been mounting. Family medicine providers, who know and can treat all members of a family within the same setting, are uniquely positioned to manage MBH conditions. Objectives With HRSA funding, the University of Utah Family Medicine Residency (UUFMR) seeks to address gaps in mental health services by enhancing or developing MBH training and partnerships. This protocol describes the project’s evaluation. The evaluation aims to identify areas to improve training content, describe training capacity, and assess intermediate outcomes of improved trainings. Methods The evaluation consists of three components: analyzing current curriculum and best practices, developing or enhancing trainings with partners, and assessing residents’ and graduates’ confidence in providing MBH care. Results The results from this protocol fill gaps in the current literature regarding evaluation methods for provider- and organizational-level outcomes of increased quality and capacity of residency training in MBH. Further, the results provide practical guidance for other residencies seeking to integrate MBH training into their curriculum. Conclusion Considering the resources committed to the ongoing enhancement of resident education, it is crucial to evaluate the implementation and outcomes of improvements to ensure that limited resources are well-utilized. Assessing the training capacity developed through collaboration supports progress toward creating a high-quality, accessible, and integrated mental and behavioral healthcare system in primary care.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-024-02656-2Graduate medical educationMental healthBehavioral healthFamily medicineEvaluation
spellingShingle Elena Gardner
Robert W. Owens
Katherine T. Fortenberry
Karly Pippitt
Dominik J. Ose
Susan Cochella
Evaluation of enhanced mental and behavioral health training for family medicine residents: a research protocol
BMC Primary Care
Graduate medical education
Mental health
Behavioral health
Family medicine
Evaluation
title Evaluation of enhanced mental and behavioral health training for family medicine residents: a research protocol
title_full Evaluation of enhanced mental and behavioral health training for family medicine residents: a research protocol
title_fullStr Evaluation of enhanced mental and behavioral health training for family medicine residents: a research protocol
title_full_unstemmed Evaluation of enhanced mental and behavioral health training for family medicine residents: a research protocol
title_short Evaluation of enhanced mental and behavioral health training for family medicine residents: a research protocol
title_sort evaluation of enhanced mental and behavioral health training for family medicine residents a research protocol
topic Graduate medical education
Mental health
Behavioral health
Family medicine
Evaluation
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-024-02656-2
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