Strategies for Implementing Integrated Behavioral Health into Health Centers

Integrated behavioral health (IBH) is a promising approach which embeds behavioral health services into primary care. Yet, IBH has had limited implementation. Our objective was to identify strategies to successfully implement the "Cherokee" IBH model by examining a 2013 to 2019 IBH demonstration project in New Jersey that included Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Community Health Centers (CHCs).

We conducted qualitative semistructured interviews of 18 primary care and behavioral health clinicians from 10 FQHCs/CHCs in 2022. Interview guide questions drew on the Proctor Implementation Outcomes Framework to capture strategies to optimize acceptability, appropriateness, feasibility, fidelity, penetration, and sustainability of IBH implementations. A template approach was used to code data and identify themes.

All participating FQHCs/CHCs were still offering IBH services 3 years after the demonstration project, suggesting that strategies were successful in implementing and sustaining IBH. Strategies these FQHCs/CHCs employed included: (1) select champions with experience leading organizational change; (2) provide training that emphasizes how brief behavioral health interventions differ from traditional therapy; (3) develop on-going IBH training procedures for new staff; (4) create physical spaces for behavioral health consultants; (5) establish scheduling systems; and (6) identify local IBH billing codes, policies, and procedures.

Change management approaches can help in the implementation of IBH; however, additional strategies unique to IBH may be needed to address the attitudinal, organizational, and financial challenges inherent to IBH.

Future implementations should apply multi-faceted approaches that address persistent and seemingly intractable barriers that have inhibited IBH integration.