TY - JOUR
KW - GeriPACT
KW - Mental Health
KW - Veterans
AU - E. Kube
AU - G. Harris
AU - B. Hicken
A1 - 
AB - Objectives: Integrating behavioral health services into primary care is an important global initiative to improve access to mental health services. Within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Geriatric Patient Aligned Care Teams (GeriPACTs) are one model of integrated care for frail older adults to serve older Veterans with geriatric syndromes and increased probability of cognitive impairment. Understanding of the role of psychology in GeriPACT is limited. This study examines this role, describes the practice of these psychologists, and evaluates the integration of psychology into geriatric primary care.Methods: A mixed-methods design was used. Recruitment occurred through two VHA listservs for GeriPACT and Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PC-MHI) psychologists. Surveys examined referral processes, service access, clinical services provision, and use of psychotherapy modalities. Twenty psychologists participated. Structured follow-up interviews were conducted with five participants.Results: A large minority of psychologists did not have FTE allotted for GeriPACT work they provided (40%). Sixty percent were assigned to one GeriPACT team. Twenty percent served four to seven GeriPACT teams. Eighty percent provided same-day services. Cognitive assessment was provided weekly by over sixty percent of providers who had FTE allotment to this role. Qualitative data provided a rich description of psychologists' perceptions of their role, team functioning, referral processes, visit structure, and other factors.Conclusion: Findings are discussed in the context of the World Health Organization's guidelines for integrating mental health into primary care. Data suggest a need for an integrated model that adapts to the special needs of older adults in primary care.
AD - VISN 19 Clinical Resource Hub, Tele-PCMHI & Health Psychology, Salt Lake City VA Healthcare System, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.; Department of Mental Health, St. Louis VA Healthcare System, St. Louis, MO, USA.; Veterans Rural Health Resource Center, Salt Lake City VA Healthcare System, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
BT - Aging & mental health
C5 - Education & Workforce; Healthcare Disparities
CY - England
DO - 10.1080/13607863.2020.1768215
JF - Aging & mental health
LA - eng
M1 - Journal Article
N2 - Objectives: Integrating behavioral health services into primary care is an important global initiative to improve access to mental health services. Within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Geriatric Patient Aligned Care Teams (GeriPACTs) are one model of integrated care for frail older adults to serve older Veterans with geriatric syndromes and increased probability of cognitive impairment. Understanding of the role of psychology in GeriPACT is limited. This study examines this role, describes the practice of these psychologists, and evaluates the integration of psychology into geriatric primary care.Methods: A mixed-methods design was used. Recruitment occurred through two VHA listservs for GeriPACT and Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PC-MHI) psychologists. Surveys examined referral processes, service access, clinical services provision, and use of psychotherapy modalities. Twenty psychologists participated. Structured follow-up interviews were conducted with five participants.Results: A large minority of psychologists did not have FTE allotted for GeriPACT work they provided (40%). Sixty percent were assigned to one GeriPACT team. Twenty percent served four to seven GeriPACT teams. Eighty percent provided same-day services. Cognitive assessment was provided weekly by over sixty percent of providers who had FTE allotment to this role. Qualitative data provided a rich description of psychologists' perceptions of their role, team functioning, referral processes, visit structure, and other factors.Conclusion: Findings are discussed in the context of the World Health Organization's guidelines for integrating mental health into primary care. Data suggest a need for an integrated model that adapts to the special needs of older adults in primary care.
PP - England
PY - 2020
SN - 1364-6915; 1360-7863
SP - 1
EP - 9
EP - 
T1 - The graying of integrated health: the specialized role of psychology in geriatric primary care
T2 - Aging & mental health
TI - The graying of integrated health: the specialized role of psychology in geriatric primary care
U1 - Education & Workforce; Healthcare Disparities
U2 - 32456549
U3 - 10.1080/13607863.2020.1768215
VO - 1364-6915; 1360-7863
Y1 - 2020
Y2 - May 27
ER -