Speaker: Dr. Neftali Serrano
Chief Executive Officer
Collaborative Family Healthcare Association
Dr. Neftali Serrano is the Chief Executive Officer at Collaborative Family Healthcare Association, a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting integrated care as the standard of care for all. He has devoted the majority of his career to working with federally qualified health centers (FQHC), starting integrated care programs and consulting with clinics in underserved settings to assist with implementation of primary care behavioral health (PCBH) programs.
Dr. Serrano’s research interests include program development evaluations and outcome studies related to PCBH, particularly in underserved settings. In 2014 Dr. Serrano edited an e-book titled, “The Implementer’s Guide to Primary Care Behavioral Health,” a practice management handbook. One of Dr. Serrano’s most outstanding contributions to the field of psychology has been his passion to teach and train the future PCBH workforce. In 18 years of practice, he has trained over 100 students and professionals in the practice of Behavioral Health Consultation in primary care.
Description:
Primary care is inextricably linked to behavioral health, yet primary care providers don’t always have the time or training to adequately address behavioral health issues. They may often on be on the frontline in observing mental health diagnoses, addiction issues, and other substance use disorders. Many chronic illnesses have a behavioral health component, so primary care clinicians may need to address depression and/or anxiety in patients struggling with psychological symptoms as they deal with their chronic illness. Primary care practitioners can prescribe anti-depressants, anti-anxiety meds or medication assisted treatment (MAT) for addiction. However, while primary care providers may have adequate training in pharmacology, they don’t typically have extensive understanding of how to use talk therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques. Also, these services must be coordinated and managed and follow-up may be required. Partnering with mental health specialists, often social workers, professional counselors and/or psychologists is essential. Also, technology can be used for such coordination of care as well as screening for mental health issues. Better outcomes for patients are seen when behavioral health is integrated into primary care and care is coordinated.
This webinar will provide evidence-based best practices for integration of primary care with behavioral health so that case managers will understand how this approach can optimize patients’ treatments.
Learning Outcomes:
- Describe behavioral health screening tools that can be used in primary care practices;
- Discuss warm hand-offs and practices to assist behavioral health and primary care clinicians in communicating;
- Identify best practices for integrating behavioral health into primary care;
- Understand how shared decision-making (among patients, clinicians and case managers) helps for better overall outcomes.
To earn CE credit, please view the webinar here.