Congratulations to Kari Stephens for leading a team of investigators (including several members of the IBH-PC research team) that just published this work:

Defining and measuring core processes and structures in integrated behavioral health in primary care: a cross-model framework

Kari A Stephens, Constance van Eeghen, Brenda Mollis, Margaret Au, Stephanie A Brennhofer, Matthew Martin, Jessica Clifton, Elizabeth Witwer, Audrey Hansen, Jeyn Monkman, Gretchen Buchanan, Rodger Kessler

Translational Behavioral Medicine, Volume 10, Issue 3, June 2020, Pages 527–538

https://doi.org/10.1093/tbm/ibz163

Published: 07 August 2020

Abstract

A movement towards integrated behavioral health (IBH) in primary care continues to grow, among an accumulating evidence base for its effectiveness for improving care. However, healthcare organizations struggle to navigate where to target their limited resources for improving integration. We evaluated a cross-model framework of IBH core processes and structures. We used a mixed-methods approach for evaluation of the framework, which included (a) an evaluation survey of national experts and stakeholders, (b) crosswalks with common IBH measures, and (c) a real-world usability test. Five core IBH principles, mapping to 25 processes, and nine clinic structures were defined. Survey responses from 29 IBH domain and policy experts and stakeholders resulted in uniformly high ratings of importance and variable levels of feasibility for measurement, particularly with respect to electronic health record (EHR) systems. A real-world usability test resulted in good uptake and use of the framework across a state-wide effort. An IBH Cross-Model Framework of core principles, processes, and structures generated good acceptability and showed good real-world utility in a state-wide effort to improve IBH across disparate levels of integration in diverse primary care settings. Findings identify feasible areas of measurement, particularly with EHR systems. Next steps include testing the relationship between the individual framework components and patient outcomes to help guide clinics towards prioritizing efforts focused on improving integration.

Katie MacDonald is a superstar in the world of patient advocacy and research.  And we can say proudly that she is one of our superstars too!  She is currently in the news at the University of Vermont for her leadership skills directing the nationwide Miles for Migraine Campaign  but she has also been noticed standing resolutely and speaking up on Capitol Hill in D.C as executive director of the Alliance for Headache Advocacy organization appealing for more research funding devoted to meeting the needs of the migraine community.  We are honored to have this smart, busy, passionate and caring person as a member of our IBH-PC stakeholder advisory group.  And we have valued and cherished her contributions and wisdom since before the IBH-PC study was funded and just shaping up as a research question and funding proposal.   Please join me in thanking Katie for for all that she does for patients, their families and communities, their health teams and the researchers devoted to finding better treatment options until they reach their ultimate goal of a cure.   And Katie, please let  us know what else our IBH-PC team can do to help! 

Check out this link by scrolling to page 12 to read Katie's personal story about how she got involved in healthcare transformation: https://public.fletcherallen.org/Newsletter/ONE_September_2019.pdf

Read more about Katie's efforts in D.C. to promote research funding: 
https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/headache-on-the-hill-2019/

Or for one stop shopping you can find out more at:  https://allianceforheadacheadvocacy.org/

If you experience migraines or have a loved one or patients who do, please check out this link to find out more about how to better manage migraine, how to help others and how to contribute to the "race" when Miles for Migraine shows up in your community:
https://www.milesformigraine.org/

Clinician engagement in research as a path toward the learning health system: A regional survey across the northwestern United States

Clinician engagement in research as a path toward the learning health system: A regional survey across the northwestern United States 

Elizabeth L Ciemins, Brenda L Mollis, Jeannine M Brant, Laurie A Hassell, Sandra Albritton, Paul Amoroso, Angela Lloyd, Jodi M Smith, Bethann M Pflugeisen, Katherine R Tuttle, Laura-Mae 
Baldwin

Introduction
Increased research engagement of frontline, community-based clinicians could result in greater research relevancy, increased likelihood of implementation into practice, and improved health care for patients. Establishment of learning health systems within health-care organizations may facilitate this process.

Methods
In 2016, the U.S. Northwest Participant and Clinical Interactions Network conducted a region-wide survey in four community-based health systems to identify barriers to clinician involvement in research and understand clinician interest and levels of engagement.

Results
Survey responses indicated broad interest in research’s value to patients (77% of respondents), contribution to clinical evidence (79%), and fulfillment of intellectual curiosity (77%). Engagement was not always correlated with interest. Top barriers included time (65%), support (34%), and getting started (32%).

Conclusion
In community health systems in the northwestern United States, clinician interest in research exists but with several significant barriers. Leveraging the learning health system movement may be one way to increase focus on research and address identified barriers.

DOI Link to Article

SAGE, August 18th 2019

*Anyone who would like to get a full copy of the PDF can ask the authors (Laura-Mae or Brenda) or Connie, and we will help.