Implementing Integrated Mental Health and Chaplain Care in a National Quality Improvement Initiative

Area of Science:

• Healthcare quality improvement
• Interprofessional collaboration
• Mental health services integration

Background:

• Chaplaincy and mental health care services often operate in silos.
• Effective integration requires clear communication and defined roles.
• Quality improvement collaboratives can foster interdisciplinary synergy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and implement a quality improvement learning collaborative.
• To enhance the integration of chaplaincy with mental health care services.
• To improve cross-disciplinary collaboration across six key domains.

Main Methods:

• A learning collaborative model was used.
• 14 healthcare facilities across VA and DoD participated.
• Teams focused on screening, referrals, assessment, communication, training, and role clarification.

Main Results:

• Post-collaboration, participants reported a clearer understanding of collaboration.
• Routine screening processes for interdisciplinary referrals significantly increased.
• Foundational efforts in awareness and screening showed promising outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Quality improvement collaboratives can effectively integrate chaplaincy and mental health care.
• Enhanced cross-disciplinary awareness and screening are key to successful integration.
• This model shows potential for improving patient care through interprofessional collaboration.