Implementing a Hybrid-Collaborative Care Model: Practical Considerations for Nurse Practitioners

Access to mental health care is a considerable problem for individuals suffering from a mental illness. Of the 44.7 million adults, aged 18 or older, experiencing a mental illness in 2016 only 43.1% reported receiving treatment. Utilizing integrated and collaborative models can enhance identification and treatment for individuals in need of mental health. The purpose of this paper is threefold: (a) to describe the process of implementing hybrid-collaborative care model (hybrid-CCM) in a practice setting, (b) to discuss the similarities and differences in a hybrid-CCM when compared to a traditional collaborative care model, and (c) to discuss practical considerations for nurse practitioners fulfilling the psychiatric consultant role in a hybrid-CCM or traditional collaborative care model. Implementing collaborative care presents challenges. Understanding implementation efforts can enhance the adoption of collaborative types of care and likely enhance the effectiveness of these strategies. Nurse practitioners can serve as psychiatric consultants within these delivery models, but appropriate training should take place prior to doing so to ensure they are prepared to fulfill this role. Continuing to identify ways we can expand implementation of collaborative models or hybrid versions of collaborative care models need to be explored.