Barriers and facilitators to collaborative care implementation within the New York State Collaborative Care Medicaid Program.

BACKGROUND: Since 2015, the New York State Office of Mental Health has provided state primary care clinics with outreach, free training and technical assistance, and the opportunity to bill Medicaid for the Collaborative Care Model (CoCM) as part of its Collaborative Care Medicaid Program. This study aims to describe the characteristics of New York State primary care clinics at each step of CoCM implementation, and the barriers and facilitators to CoCM implementation for the New York State Collaborative Care Medicaid Program. METHODS: In this mixed-methods study, clinics were categorized into RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance) steps. Clinics were sent a survey, which included questions related to payer mix, funding sources, billing codes used, and patient population demographics. Qualitative interviews were conducted with clinic representatives, focusing on barriers or facilitators clinics experienced affecting their progression to the next RE-AIM step. RESULTS: One thousand ninety-nine surveys were sent to primary care clinics across New York State, with 107 (9.7%) completing a survey. Significant differences were observed among the different RE-AIM steps for multiple demographic variables including primary payer, percentage of patients with a diagnose of depression or anxiety, and percent of behavioral health services that are reimbursed, in addition to others. Three main themes regarding barriers and facilitators to implementing CoCM for New York State Medicaid billing emerged from 31 qualitative interviews: (1) Billing requirements, (2) Reimbursement rates, and (3) Buy-in to CoCM. CONCLUSIONS: Survey data align with what we would expect to see demographically in NYS primary care clinics. Qualitative data indicated that CoCM billing requirements/structure and reimbursement rates were perceived as barriers to providing CoCM, particularly with New York State Medicaid, and that buy-in, which included active involvement from organizational leaders and providers that understand the Collaborative Care model were facilitators. Having dedicated staff to manage billing and data reporting is one way clinics minimize barriers, however, there appeared to be a disconnect between what clinics can bill for and the reimbursed amount several clinics are receiving, illustrating the need for stronger billing workflows and continued refinement of billing options across different payers.

Exploring Caregiver Interest in and Preferences for Interventions for Children With Risk of Asthma Exacerbation: Web-Based Survey.

BACKGROUND: Maintaining control of asthma symptoms is the cornerstone of asthma treatment guidelines in the United States. However, suboptimal asthma control and asthma exacerbations among young people are common and are associated with many negative outcomes. Interventions to improve asthma control are needed. For such interventions to be successful, it is necessary to understand the types of interventions that are appealing to caregivers of children with different levels of risk of exacerbation. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate whether caregivers of children with high (vs low) risk of asthma exacerbation show different levels of interest in and preferences for potential intervention programs and delivery methods. METHODS: We contracted with Ipsos to administer a web-based survey to caregivers of children with asthma who were residing in the United States. Caregivers (N=394) reported their interest (1=not at all; 3=a lot) in 9 possible intervention programs and 8 possible intervention delivery methods. Caregivers also indicated their preferences by selecting the 3 intervention programs and 3 delivery methods that "most" interested them. Finally, caregivers completed 2 open-ended questions asking what other resources might be useful for managing their children's asthma. We classified children as having a high risk of exacerbation if they had an exacerbation in the past 3 months (n=116) and a low risk of exacerbation if otherwise (n=278). RESULTS: Caregivers reported higher levels of interest in all intervention programs and delivery methods if they cared for a child with a high risk rather than a low risk of exacerbation. However, regardless of the child's risk status, caregivers expressed the highest levels of interest in programs to increase their child's self-management skills, to help pay for asthma care, and to work with the school to manage asthma. Caregivers expressed the highest levels of interest in delivery methods that maintained personal control over accessing information (websites, videos, printed materials, and smartphone apps). Caregivers' preferences were consistent with their interests; programs and delivery methods that were rated as high in interest were also selected as one of the 3 that "most" interested them. Although most caregivers did not provide additional suggestions for the open-ended questions, a few caregivers suggested intervention programs and delivery methods that we had not included (eg, education about avoiding triggers and medication reminders). CONCLUSIONS: Similar interests and preferences among caregivers of children with high and low risk of exacerbation suggest a broad need for support in managing childhood asthma. Providers could help caregivers by directing them toward resources that make asthma care more affordable and by helping their children with asthma self-management. Interventions that accommodate caregivers' concerns about having personal control over access to asthma information are likely to be more successful than interventions that do not.

Ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) and challenges in the design of a randomized controlled trial to test the online return of cancer genetic research results to U.S. Black women.

BACKGROUND: A central challenge to precision medicine research efforts is the return of genetic research results in a manner that is effective, ethical, and efficient. Formal tests of alternate modalities are needed, particularly for racially marginalized populations that have historically been underserved in this context. METHODS: We are conducting a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to test scalable modalities for results return and to examine the clinical utility of returning genetic research results to a research cohort of Black women. The primary aim is to compare the efficacy of two communication modalities for results return: 1) a conventional modality that entails telephone disclosure by a Board-certified genetic counselor, and 2) an online self-guided modality that entails results return directly to participants, with optional genetic counselor follow-up via telephone. The trial is being conducted among participants in the Black Women's Health Study (BWHS), where targeted sequencing of 4000 participants was previously completed. RESULTS: Several ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) and challenges presented, which necessitated substantial revision of the original study protocol. Challenges included chain of custody, re-testing of research results in a CLIA lab, exclusion of VUS results, and digital literacy. Bioethical principles of autonomy, justice, non-maleficence, and beneficence were considered in the design of the study protocol. CONCLUSION: This study is uniquely situated to provide critical evidence on the effectiveness of alternative models for genetic results return and provide further insight into the factors influencing access and uptake of genetic information among U.S. Black women. CLINICALTRIALS: gov: NCT04407611.

Making It to Sustainability: Evaluating Billing Strategies for Collaborative Care.

The collaborative care model (CoCM) is an effective strategy to manage common mental disorders in primary care. Despite the growing adoption of newer CoCM billing codes to support these programs, few studies have investigated the use of these codes. This column evaluated the implementation of CoCM billing codes by comparing clinics using different billing strategies and assessed the impact of CoCM code implementation on revenue and on clinical and process-of-care outcomes. Qualitative data were obtained to understand provider perspectives. The results indicate that CoCM billing code implementation is operationally feasible, does not adversely affect the delivery of patient care or revenue, and is acceptable to providers.

Implementing digital systems to facilitate genetic testing for hereditary cancer syndromes: An observational study of 4 clinical workflows.

PURPOSE: National efforts have prioritized the identification of effective methods for increasing case ascertainment and delivery of evidence-based health care for individuals at elevated risk for hereditary cancers. METHODS: This study examined the uptake of genetic counseling and testing following the use of a digital cancer genetic risk assessment program implemented at 27 health care sites in 10 states using 1 of 4 clinical workflows: (1) traditional referral, (2) point-of-care scheduling, (3) point-of-care counseling/telegenetics, and (4) point-of-care testing. RESULTS: In 2019, 102,542 patients were screened and 33,113 (32%) were identified as at high risk and meeting National Comprehensive Cancer Network genetic testing criteria for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, Lynch syndrome, or both. Among those identified at high risk, 5147 (16%) proceeded with genetic testing. Genetic counseling uptake was 11% among the sites with workflows that included seeing a genetic counselor before testing, with 88% of patients proceeding with genetic testing after counseling. Uptake of genetic testing across sites varied significantly by clinical workflow (6% referral, 10% point-of-care scheduling, 14% point-of-care counseling/telegenetics, and 35% point-of-care testing, P < .0001). CONCLUSION: Study findings highlight the potential heterogeneity of effectiveness attributable to different care delivery approaches for implementing digital hereditary cancer risk screening programs.

Affordable Care Act state Medicaid expansion and human papillomavirus vaccination among adolescent and young adult US women: A national study.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the impact of Affordable Care Act (ACA) state Medicaid expansion on human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among both adolescent and young adult US women. DATA SOURCES: We used state-level data on ACA Medicaid expansion and individual-level data on US women aged 15-25 years living at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) from the 2011-2017 waves of the National Survey of Family Growth (N = 2408). STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a quasi-experimental study examining the association between ACA state Medicaid expansion and HPV vaccination initiation among eligible adolescent and young adult US women. METHODS: We used linear probability modeling within a difference-in-differences approach, adjusting for individual- and state-level covariates. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Adjusting for individual- and state-level covariates, we found a negative association between Medicaid expansion and HPV vaccination among US women aged 15-25 years living in low-income households in the first year post-expansion (coefficient: -15.9 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -30.1, -1.6 points). In contrast, we observed a positive association in the third year post-expansion (coefficient: 20.5 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.8, 42.9 points). CONCLUSIONS: Medicaid expansion may have increased HPV vaccination among adolescent and young adult US women over time. Additional research is needed to identify the mechanisms and differential effects of Medicaid expansion on HPV vaccination among diverse subgroups of US women.

Barriers, interventions, and recommendations: Improving the genetic testing landscape.

Individual, provider, clinic, and societal level barriers have been shown to undermine the potential impact of genetic testing. The current approach in the primary care setting places an exorbitant burden on both providers and patients. Current literature provides insight into how to address barriers across multiple levels (patient, provider, clinic, system) and at multiple stages in the testing process (identification, referral, counseling, and testing) but interventions have had limited success. After outlining the current approach to genetic testing in the primary care setting, including the barriers that prevent genetic testing uptake and the methods proposed to address these issues, we recommend integrating genetic testing into routine medical care through population-based testing. Success in efforts to increase the uptake of genetic testing will not occur without significant changes to the way genetic services are delivered. These changes will not be instantaneous but are critical in moving this field forward to realize the potential for cancer risk genetic assessment to reduce cancer burden.

Mobile health plus community health worker support for weight management among public housing residents (Path to Health): A randomized controlled trial protocol.

Interventions delivered by mobile devices (mHealth interventions) have the potential to increase access to weight management treatment in low-income populations. However, little prior research has examined effects of mHealth programming plus phone-based community health worker (CHW) support for weight management among public housing residents. For our intervention, we first interacted with a community advisory board to collect feedback on proposed intervention components. Transcripts from 5 advisory board meetings were coded and qualitative data was organized into themes. We used these data to inform our ongoing trial, in which public housing residents are randomized to one of three different groups: phone text messaging and digital self-weighing (mHealth only); mHealth intervention plus CHW behavioral phone counseling (mHealth+CHW); or assessment only to evaluate their differential effects on weight loss at 6- and 12-month follow-up. We will examine changes in diet and physical activity behaviors as well as potential mediating and moderating factors. Results of this trial could provide support for technology-based weight management interventions which may have greater potential for scalability and long-term dissemination than face-to-face programming. Clinical Trial Registration Number: NCT04852042.

Construct validation of the Research Engagement Survey Tool (REST).

BACKGROUND: The Research Engagement Survey Tool (REST) was developed to examine the level of partner (e.g., patients, caregivers, advocates, clinicians, community members) engagement in research studies. The REST is aligned with eight engagement principles based on the literature and consensus reached through a five round Delphi process. Each of the engagement principles has three-five corresponding items that are assessed on two Likert type scales quantity (how often: never, rarely, sometimes, often, always, not applicable) and quality (how well: poor, fair, good, very good, excellent, not applicable). We conducted a comprehensive validation of the REST. Despite the importance of partner engagement in research, currently no gold standard measure exists. METHODS: Multiple strategies were employed to validate the REST. Here, we examine the internal consistency of items for each of the eight engagement principles. In addition, we examine the convergent validity of the comprehensive (32-item) REST with other measures (e.g., medical mistrust, Community Engagement in Research Index, Partnership Self-Assessment Tool, Wilder collaboration inventory, Partnership Assessment In community-based Research). We propose two scoring approaches for the REST; one aligned with the engagement principles and the other aligned with levels of community engagement: (1) outreach and education, (2) consultation, (3) cooperation, (4) collaboration, and (5) partnership. RESULTS: The REST has strong internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha > 0.75) for each of the eight engagement principals measured on both scales (quality and quantity). The REST had negligible (e.g., medical mistrust, community engagement in research index), low (e.g., Partnership Assessment In community-based Research, Partnership Self-Assessment Tool- benefits scale), and moderate (e.g., Wilder collaboration inventory, Partnership Self-Assessment Tool- synergy scale) statistically significant correlations with other measures based on the Spearman rank correlation coefficient. These results suggest the REST is measuring something similar and correlated to the existing measures, but it captures a different construct (perceived research engagement). CONCLUSIONS: The REST is a valid and reliable tool to assess research engagement of community health stakeholders in the research process. Valid tools to assess research engagement are necessary to examine the impact of engagement on the scientific process and scientific discovery and move the field of stakeholder engagement from best practices and lessons learned to evidence-based approaches based on empirical data.

Researchers often conduct studies with partners (e.g., patients, caregivers, advocates, clinicians, community members) who also have an interest in the research topic. Depending on the research study the level of partner engagement in the research process may be high or low. Partners may be involved from the beginning including determining what topic to study and what questions the study should examine. They may suggest who should be included in the study, the geographic area of focus, and the outcome measures to be examined. In addition, they may help recruit study participants, interpret study results, and plan for how to share the results with those that need to know. No standard way exists to find out how involved a partner has been in a study from the partner's perspective. Here we develop and validate survey questions to measure the level of partner engagement in research studies. We looked at existing survey questions used to measure similar topics to make sure that a person who takes the survey gets consistent scores. We tested the survey with community health stakeholders (e.g., patients, caregivers, advocates, clinicians, community members) who are research partners for studies at universities across the United States. Over 2 years, the partners took different versions of the survey online four times. We used the data we collected from each survey to revise the questions and make sure that it measures partner involvement accurately and reliably. The Research Engagement Survey Tool (REST) has 32 questions to examine eight engagement principles on two scales: quantity (how much) and quality (how well). The REST is a valid and reliable tool to examine partner engagement in research.

Socioeconomic Status and Interest in Genetic Testing in a US-Based Sample.

Cancer is a significant burden, particularly to individuals of low socioeconomic status (SES). Genetic testing can provide information about an individual's risk of developing cancer and guide future screening and preventative services. However, there are significant financial barriers, particularly for individuals of low SES. This study used the Early Detection of Genetic Risk (EDGE) Study's patient baseline survey (n = 2329) to evaluate the relationship between socioeconomic status and interest in pursuing hereditary cancer genetic testing. Analysis was completed for two interest outcomes-overall interest in genetic testing and interest in genetic testing if the test were free or low cost. Many demographic and SES variables were predictors for interest in genetic testing, including education, income, and MacArthur Subjective Social Scale (SSS). After controlling for the healthcare system, age, and gender, having a higher education level and a higher household income were associated with greater general interest. Lower SSS was associated with greater interest in genetic testing if the test was free or low cost. If genetic testing is the future of preventative medicine, more work needs to be performed to make this option accessible to low-SES groups and to ensure that those services are used by the most underserved populations.

A Study Examining the Usefulness of a New Measure of Research Engagement.

INTRODUCTION: Engagement of relevant stakeholders' ideas, opinions, and concerns is critical to the success of modern research projects. We have developed a tool to measure stakeholder engagement, called the Research Engagement Survey Tool (REST). The purpose of this paper is to present the implementation and uptake of the stakeholder engagement measure REST among research teams, including the assessment of barriers and facilitating factors for use of the new research engagement measure in practice. METHODS: In this implementation study, project team members participated in baseline and follow-up web-based surveys. Web-based interviews were conducted with a subset of project teams that implemented the REST. On the baseline survey, project teams were asked to provide details about up to three ongoing or recently completed projects, were asked if they agreed with compensation for REST completion, and were asked if they would like to send the survey to stakeholders or would prefer our project team to email their project stakeholders. Follow-up surveys contained questions on reactions to implementing REST and results of REST. RESULTS: Project team members/researchers who completed the baseline survey (n=86) were mostly female (79%) and Non-Hispanic/Latino(a) White (76%). Those who implemented REST were also mostly female (86%) and Non-Hispanic/Latino(a) White (71%), with an average of 11 years in academic research. About 98% of all participants completing the baseline survey had the capacity to survey partners, while 100% of all teams who implemented REST did. A small portion of respondents indicated the time commitment of REST would be a barrier (29% of baseline survey respondents, 10% of those who implemented REST) and indicated workload would be a barrier (31% of baseline survey respondents, 14% of those who implemented REST). DISCUSSION: The data presented here indicate that REST implementation is feasible in a volunteer group of ongoing research projects.

Care managers' experiences in a collaborative care program for the treatment of bipolar disorder and PTSD in underserved communities.

OBJECTIVES: To understand care managers' experiences treating primary care patients with bipolar disorder and PTSD in a telepsychiatry collaborative care (TCC) program, as part of a large pragmatic trial. METHODS: We conducted individual qualitative interviews with 12 care managers to evaluate barriers and facilitators to implementation of a previously completed TCC intervention for patients with bipolar disorder and/or PTSD. We used directed and conventional content analysis and Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) constructs to organize care manager experiences. RESULTS: Participants described clinical and medication management support from telepsychiatrists and satisfaction with the TCC model as facilitators of success for patients with bipolar disorder and PTSD in underserved communities. Participants also described onboarding of primary care providers and clinic leadership as keys to successful team-care and credited satisfaction with providing Behavioral Activation as essential to sustained delivery of the psychotherapy component of TCC. CONCLUSIONS: Participants described high satisfaction with TCC for patients with bipolar disorder and PTSD. Challenges included lack of clinic leadership and PCP engagement. Early and ongoing promotion of integrated care and prioritizing telepsychiatry consultation with patients, behavioral health professionals and PCPs, may improve patient care, provide ongoing training and improve workforce satisfaction.

How do embodied experiences of asthma influence caregiver conceptual models?

RATIONALE: Many studies propose that patients', caregivers', and children's asthma management practices may diverge from biomedical recommendations because their understandings of asthma (i.e., conceptual models) are different from biomedical perspectives. However, little research in this area has examined conceptual models of asthma using embodiment theory, which suggests that caregivers' and children's experiences of the physical body shape their perspectives and consequent management strategies. OBJECTIVE: We investigated how two embodied processes of symptom perception-detection and interpretation-may influence caregiver or patient conceptions of asthma. METHODS: We interviewed 41 caregivers of children with asthma in Gainesville, Florida, and St. Louis, Missouri, and conducted ethnographic visits or virtual interviews with 19 children with asthma aged 6-16. RESULTS: Four aspects of asthma's embodied experience shaped conceptual models via processes of detection and interpretation: 1) symptoms are experienced in the context of other bodily processes; 2) acute symptoms and exacerbations are more salient than their absence; 3) the embodied experience of asthma is one of integrated physiological and emotional processes; and 4) caregivers and children acquire embodied practices of perceiving symptoms that produce embodied knowledge. CONCLUSION: Participant narratives suggest that embodied experiences of asthma shape caregivers' and children's understandings of asthma in ways that differ from the biomedical model. We argue that a focus on embodied experiences may provide important ground for mutual understanding and communication between providers and caregivers and/or patients.

Mental imagery-based self-regulation: Effects on physical activity behaviour and its cognitive and affective precursors over time.

OBJECTIVES: (1) Test whether a mental imagery-based self-regulation intervention increases physical activity behaviour over 90 days; (2) Examine cognitive and affective precursors of change in physical activity behaviour. DESIGN: A randomized control trial with participants (N = 500) randomized to one of six intervention conditions in a 3 (risk communication format: bulleted list, table, risk ladder) x 2 (mental imagery behaviour: physical activity, active control [sleep hygiene]) factorial design. METHODS: After receiving personalized risk estimates via a website on a smartphone, participants listened to an audiorecording that guided them through a mental imagery activity related to improving physical activity (intervention group) or sleep hygiene behaviour (active control). Participants received text message reminders to complete the imagery for 3 weeks post-intervention, 4 weekly text surveys to assess behaviour and its cognitive and affective precursors, and a mailed survey 90 days post-baseline. RESULTS: Physical activity increased over 90 days by 19.5 more minutes per week (95%CI: 2.0, 37.1) in the physical activity than the active control condition. This effect was driven by participants in the risk ladder condition, who exercised 54.8 more minutes (95%CI 15.6, 94.0) in the physical activity condition than participants in the active control sleep hygiene group. Goal planning positively predicted physical activity behaviour (b = 12.2 minutes per week, p = 0.002), but self-efficacy, image clarity, and affective attitudes towards behaviours did not (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Mental imagery-based self-regulation interventions can increase physical activity behaviour, particularly when supported by personalized disease risk information presented in an easy-to-understand format.

Patient Decision Aid Selection for Shared Decision Making: A Multicase Qualitative Study.

The patient decision aid (PDA) is a promising patient engagement tool for use in shared decision making (SDM). Selecting a PDA is an essential precursor to successful SDM implementation. Little is known regarding the organizational stakeholder process for assessing and selecting a PDA. We conducted a qualitative, multicase study within the context of a maternal health decision to identify the criteria used by stakeholders to select a PDA. We further explored the perceived value of PDA certification on PDA selection. We reported the PDA selection criteria within the domains of (1) Design and Functionality, (2) User Fit, (3) Context and Climate, (4) Support, and (5) Strategic Vision and found that certification was perceived to be a valuable screening mechanism for smaller health organizations. Health organizations and researchers may use our PDA selection criteria and conceptual model to plan future deployments of PDAs and patient engagement tools.

Development and Validation of a Brief Version of the Research Engagement Survey Tool.

The Research Engagement Survey Tool (REST) examines the level of partner engagement in research studies. This study used mixed methods, including web-based surveys (N = 336), a modified Delphi process (N = 18), and cognitive response interviews (N = 16), with convenience sampling to develop and validate a short version of the REST. We conducted factor analysis and calculated internal consistency for the condensed REST. We validated the condensed REST against the comprehensive REST. All analyses were carried out on two scales (quality and quantity) based on Likert-type response options. We examined convergent validity with other measures theoretically associated with the REST (e.g., the Community Engagement Research Index and the Partnership Self-Assessment Tool). This study produced a 9-item condensed version of the REST. The condensed REST loads on 1 factor, has high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.92 for the quantity scale; 0.94 for the quality scale), is significantly correlated (ρ = 0.97; p < 0.001 for both scales) with the comprehensive (32-item) REST, and has negligible, low, and moderate correlation with other measures (e.g., the Partnership Assessment In community-based Research, trust in medical researchers, and the Coalition Self-Assessment Survey). Use of the condensed REST will reduce participant burden and time to complete. This standardized and validated quantitative measure is useful to compare engagement across projects or within a project over time.

Factors Affecting the Initiation of a Shared Decision Making Program in Obstetric Practices.

As healthcare systems progress toward initiatives that increase patient engagement, stakeholder hopes are that shared decision making (SDM) will become routine practice. Yet, there is limited empirical evidence to guide such SDM program implementations, particularly in obstetric practices. The first stage of any project implementation is the "initiation stage", in which project leaders define a project's purpose and stakeholders and structures are put in place to support the new initiative. Our study's objective was to identify factors affecting the initiation stage of an SDM program implementation project for TOLAC, trial of labor after Cesarean. We conducted a multiple-case study of an SDM program implementation in three obstetric settings in Washington State. The research design and analysis were guided by implementation science frameworks and project management literature. Data sources included interviews with key informants from the State, SDM tool vendors, and three project sites, as well as implementation documents. The study results provide insight into how the identified project implementation factors provide an essential foundation for informing project planning, execution, and reflection/evaluation. In this study, the State's decision aid certification program pressured the project sites to shape the project purpose and engage stakeholders that would meet immediate project requirements (specifically, state requirements). The study reveals that external demands may not be in perfect alignment with the internal necessities required for an SDM program's long-term viability and sustainability. Findings may be used by implementers and researchers to model and strategize the early stages of SDM program implementation projects, particularly in the obstetric setting.

Population-based implementation of behavioral health detection and treatment into primary care: early data from New York state.

BACKGROUND: The Collaborative Care Model is a well-established, evidence-based approach to treating depression and other common behavioral health conditions in primary care settings. Despite a robust evidence base, real world implementation of Collaborative Care has been limited and very slow. The goal of this analysis is to better describe and understand the progression of implementation in the largest state-led Collaborative Care program in the nation-the New York State Collaborative Care Medicaid Program. Data are presented using the RE-AIM model, examining the proportion of clinics in each of the model's five steps from 2014 to 2019. METHODS: We used the RE-AIM model to shape our data presentation, focusing on the proportion of clinics moving into each of the five steps of this model over the years of implementation. Data sources included: a New York State Office of Mental Health clinic tracking database, billing applications, quarterly reports, and Medicaid claims. RESULTS: A total of 84% of clinics with which OMH had an initial contact [n = 611clinics (377 FQHCs and 234 non-FQHCs)] received some form of training and technical assistance. Of those, 51% went on to complete a billing application, 41% reported quarterly data at least once, and 20% were able to successfully bill Medicaid. Of clinics that reported data prior to the first quarter of 2019, 79% (n = 130) maintained Collaborative Care for 1 year or more. The receipt of any training and technical assistance was significantly associated with our implementation indices: (completed billing application, data reporting, billing Medicaid, and maintaining Collaborative Care). The average percent of patient improvement for depression and anxiety across 155 clinics that had at least one quarter of data was 44.81%. Training and technical assistance source (Office of Mental Health, another source, or both) and intensity (high/low) were significantly related to implementation indices and were observed in FQHC versus non-FQHC samples. CONCLUSIONS: Offering Collaborative Care training and technical assistance, particularly high intensity training and technical assistance, increases the likelihood of implementation. Other state-wide organizations might consider the provision of training and technical assistance when assisting clinics to implement Collaborative Care.

Comparison of Teleintegrated Care and Telereferral Care for Treating Complex Psychiatric Disorders in Primary Care: A Pragmatic Randomized Comparative Effectiveness Trial.

Importance: Only one-third of patients with complex psychiatric disorders engage in specialty mental health care, and only one-tenth receive adequate treatment in primary care. Scalable approaches are critically needed to improve access to effective mental health treatments in underserved primary care settings. Objective: To compare 2 clinic-to-clinic interactive video approaches to delivering evidence-based mental health treatments to patients in primary care clinics. Design, Setting, and Participants: This pragmatic comparative effectiveness trial used a sequential, multiple-assignment, randomized trial (SMART) design with patient-level randomization. Adult patients treated at 24 primary care clinics without on-site psychiatrists or psychologists from 12 federally qualified health centers in 3 states who screened positive for posttraumatic stress disorder and/or bipolar disorder and who were not already receiving pharmacotherapy from a mental health specialist were recruited from November 16, 2016, to June 30, 2019, and observed for 12 months. Interventions: Two approaches were compared: (1) telepsychiatry/telepsychology-enhanced referral (TER), where telepsychiatrists and telepsychologists assumed responsibility for treatment, and (2) telepsychiatry collaborative care (TCC), where telepsychiatrists provided consultation to the primary care team. TER included an adaptive intervention (phone-enhanced referral [PER]) for patients not engaging in treatment, which involved telephone outreach and motivational interviewing. Main Outcomes and Measures: Survey questions assessed patient-reported outcomes. The Veterans RAND 12-item Health Survey Mental Component Summary (MCS) score was the primary outcome (range, 0-100). Secondary outcomes included posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, manic symptoms, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, recovery, and adverse effects. Results: Of 1004 included participants, 701 of 1000 (70.1%) were female, 660 of 994 (66.4%) were White, and the mean (SD) age was 39.4 (12.9) years. Baseline MCS scores were 2 SDs below the US mean; the mean (SD) MCS scores were 39.7 (14.1) and 41.2 (14.2) in the TCC and TER groups, respectively. There was no significant difference in 12-month MCS score between those receiving TCC and TER (ß = 1.0; 95% CI, -0.8 to 2.8; P = .28). Patients in both groups experienced large and clinically meaningful improvements from baseline to 12 months (TCC: Cohen d = 0.81; 95% CI, 0.67 to 0.95; TER: Cohen d = 0.90; 95% CI, 0.76 to 1.04). For patients not engaging in TER at 6 months, there was no significant difference in 12-month MCS score between those receiving PER and TER (ß = 2.0; 95% CI, -1.7 to 5.7; P = .29). Conclusions and Relevance: In this comparative effectiveness trial of patients with complex psychiatric disorders randomized to receive TCC or TER, significantly and substantially improved outcomes were observed in both groups. From a health care system perspective, clinical leadership should implement whichever approach is most sustainable. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02738944.