Implementation of an Adapted Collaborative Care Model

Kosrae is an island state in the Federated States of Micronesia, a low- to middle-income country. Kosrae Community Health Center, an independent nonprofit organization, partnered with the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Hawai'i to integrate behavioral health services by using the collaborative care model (CoCM). The partnership encountered logistic and cultural challenges, but regular communication, case reviews, and training sessions enabled successful CoCM implementation. This success indicates that CoCM can be adapted in a remote island nation with finite resources. Findings indicate that planning for a longer implementation period may be required for international collaborations with limited previous experience in behavioral health.