Additional Tasks for the Academy Awarded by AHRQ

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) recently awarded two additional task orders to provide additional support to tasks consistent with the goals of the Academy for Integrating Mental Health and Primary Care.

Task 10 calls for the development and implementation of a national survey of small, independent primary care practices that will inform AHRQ on how this relatively less studied group of primary care providers are viewing and responding to behavioral health issues.

AHRQ is interested in obtaining information from these providers in the areas of Mental Health (MH) integration, methods used to address MH disorders, connection with community based MH resources, racial and/or ethnic differences in their practices, reimbursement and their interest in including an integrated approach into their practice.

A final project plan with analysis and a draft survey instrument are a few of the deliverables that are required for this task, and will support the understanding of how small primary care practices are addressing behavioral health issues.

Task 11 calls for the development of a plan to address workforce issues related to integrating mental health (MH) into primary care (PC).

AHRQ is interested in obtaining information from a panel of experts in PC and MH practice and education/training. AHRQ is also interested in a literature review and environmental scan of issues that must be addressed to improve the workforce situation, developing MH and PC providers in the area of MH/PC integration, and engaging PC and MH professionals and similar groups in dissemination of strategy and competencies.

The ultimate goal is to develop a strategy for improving the future of how MH care is delivered in the PC setting, either by PC or MH providers. In addition to this national strategy, the contractor will deliver guidebooks for competencies, a final report and a presentation at the AHRQ Annual meeting.