Practice Members' Perspectives on the Implementation of Colorado Integrated Behavioral Health Plus (CIBH +).

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Primary Care Medicine
• Behavioral Health Integration

Background:

• Integrated Behavioral Health (IBH) is crucial for improving access and quality of care.
• Existing integrated care models require evaluation for real-world implementation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess practice members' perspectives on the feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of the Colorado Integrated Behavioral Health Plus (CIBH+) model.
• To identify facilitators and barriers to implementing an integrated care model in a large health system.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods approach was used, combining surveys (N=156) and semi-structured interviews (N=46) with practice members.
• Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data underwent grounded theory analysis.

Main Results:

• Respondents reported high agreement on the perceived feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of CIBH+.
• Qualitative findings highlighted patient benefits and team care as reinforcing value, with teamwork and telehealth as facilitators.
• Challenges included role clarity, staffing, space, telehealth limitations, and lack of long-term care options.

Conclusions:

• The CIBH+ model demonstrates significant promise for integrated care implementation.
• Understanding key features and addressing identified challenges can enhance the feasibility and acceptance of IBH models in diverse settings.