Certificate Program in Primary Care and Behavioral Health

Center for Integrated Primary Care, University of Massachusetts Medical School

Worcester, MA

This database is no longer actively maintained and is here for archival purposes only

Organization Type: 
Educational Institution
Program Type: 
Standing Program
Education Level: 
Postgraduate (e.g., residency, fellowship)
Continuing Education
Technical certificate programs or certificate training programs
Educational Elements: 
Lecture/Didactic
Program Description: 

The Certificate Program in Primary Care Behavioral Health helps clinicians adapt their training to the bourgeoning world of integrated primary care by offering a series of workshops that train mental health and primary care clinicians to work collectively in order to better meet the health needs of their patients.  This program consists of seven full-day workshops featuring 36 hours of didactic and interactive training; Distance Learning Sites are also available for participation using web-based conferencing technologies.

Each workshop focuses on different components of primary care and behavioral health:

  • Workshop 1: Primary Care Culture, Behavioral Health Needs and Working with Physicians
  • Workshop 2: Evidence-Based Therapies and Substance Abuse in Primary Care
  • Workshop 3A: Child Development and Collaborative Pediatric Practice
  • Workshop 3B: Integrating Care for People with Serious and Persistent Mental Illness
  • Workshop 4:  Behavioral Health Care for Chronic Illnesses, Care Management and An Overview of Psychotropic Medication in Primary Care
  • Workshop 5: Behavioral Medicine Interventions: Health Behavior Change and Relaxation Response Techniques
  • Workshop 6: Families and Culture in Primary Care, Advice on Implementation

The Certificate Program has been taught biannually since 2007 to approximately 1500 participants from across the country. 

Evaluated: 
Yes
Program Results: 

Using a retrospective self-assessment pre- and post-test evaluation of the participants’ skills, this program has been shown to change both the training experience and the participants’ ability to use these learned skills in practice.   The evaluation report published by the University of Massachusetts has shown the program to be an effective way for participants to gain the skills needed to succeed in the diverse practice of primary care behavioral health. 

Targeted Professions
Nursing: 
Nurse Practitioners
Registered Nurses
Licensed Practical Nurses
Social Work: 
Psychiatric social work
Medical social work
Psychology: 
Clinical
Counseling
Clinical Health
Family
Additional: 
Physician Assistants
Program Website
Self-Reported Competencies
PCPCC’s Education and Training Task Force identified 16 interprofessional training competencies critical for preparing health professionals for practicing in team-based, coordinated care models such as patient-centered medical homes. Listed below are the self-reported competencies that this program has achieved, which have been organized by the five core features of a medical home as defined by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Patient-Centered Care Competencies: 
Advocacy for patient-centered integrated care
Cultural sensitivity and competence in culturally appropriate practice
Development of effective, caring relationships with patients
Patient-centered care planning, including collaborative decision-making and patient self-management
Comprehensive Care Competencies: 
Assessment of biopsychosocial needs across the lifespan
Population-based approaches to health care delivery
Risk identification
Coordinated Care Competencies: 
Health information technology, including e-communications with patients & other providers
Interprofessionalism & interdisciplinary team collaboration
Team leadership
Quality Care & Safety Competencies: 
Assessment of patient outcomes
Business models for patient-centered integrated care
Evidence-based practice
Quality improvement methods, including assessment of patient-experience for use in practice-based improvement efforts
Accessible Care Competencies: 
Promotion of appropriate access to care (e.g., group appointments, open scheduling)
Last updated November 15, 2013

* Please note: Information contained in this database is self-reported by representatives from each program. It does not represent an exhaustive list of education and training programs and inclusion does not constitute an endorsement from the PCPCC.

 

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