Strengthening the Coordination of Pediatric Mental Health and Medical Care: Piloting a Collaborative Model for Freestanding Practices.
BACKGROUND
Collaborative pediatric mental health and primary care is increasingly recognized as optimal for meeting the needs of children with mental health problems. This paper describes the challenges faced by freestanding specialty mental health clinics and pediatric health practices to provide such coordinated mind-and-body treatment. It describes critical elements of a proactive approach to achieving collaborative pediatric care under real-world circumstances using the patient-centered medical home neighborhood (PCMH-N) model.


OBJECTIVE
The current study evaluates the field test of the Practitioner-Informed Model to Facilitate Interdisciplinary Collaboration (PIM-FIC), a systematic approach to improving inter-professional collaboration by building relationships and enhancing communication between pediatric mental health and primary care practices.


METHODS
Thirty-nine providers at two mental health and two pediatric primary care practices participated in a pilot project and completed surveys prior to and following their participation. Key informant interviews were also conducted prior to the project.


RESULTS
Participating practitioners' survey and interview responses indicate that the quantity and quality of communication between pediatric mental and medical health care providers increased post-project, as did satisfaction with overall collaboration.


CONCLUSIONS
Improving relationships and communication are first steps in building the infrastructure to support effective coordinated care. Project results highlight practical and easily implemented strategies that pediatric mental health and primary care practices can take to strengthen their collaboration. Findings also suggest a need for collaborative care policies and competencies for child mental health providers working in freestanding practices within the PCMH-N.
Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut.
Carolyn A
CA
Greene
Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut.
Julian D
JD
Ford
Integrated Care Consultant, Glastonbury, Connecticut.
Barbara
B
Ward-Zimmerman
Child Health and Development Institute of Connecticut, Inc., Farmington, Connecticut.
Lisa
L
Honigfeld
Department of Psychology, University of Hartford, West Hartford, Connecticut.
Anne E
AE
Pidano
collaborative care; communication; interdisciplinary relationships; mental health care; pediatric primary care