Interprofessional Education Simulation Project Using the Collaborative Care Model.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Education
• Interprofessional Practice
• Behavioral Health Integration

Background:

• Integrated behavioral health care (IBH) is a team-based approach placing behavioral health providers (BHPs) in primary care.
• Educational curricula often lack IBH content for BHPs and primary care advanced practice nursing students.
• This study details an innovative interprofessional simulation project (ISP) in a virtual IBH setting.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate an interprofessional simulation project (ISP) designed to improve student and faculty preparedness in integrated behavioral health care (IBH).
• To assess the effectiveness of a virtual IBH simulation using the Collaborative Care model (CoCM) for training primary care nurse practitioner and counseling students.

Main Methods:

• The ISP utilized role-playing with case studies based on the Collaborative Care model (CoCM).
• Interprofessional faculty developed the project and trained facilitators and student participants.
• Students and faculty engaged in a virtual IBH setting.

Main Results:

• 87.7% of participants reported increased preparedness in learning the CoCM.
• 92.6% of participants found the preparation time for the project to be appropriate.
• High satisfaction was reported by students and faculty post-simulation.

Conclusions:

• The interprofessional simulation project (ISP) successfully increased perceived preparedness for practicing and teaching integrated behavioral health care (IBH).
• The project demonstrated high satisfaction among participants, indicating its value in health professions education.
• This innovative approach effectively prepares future providers for team-based behavioral health integration in primary care settings.