Support for Integrated Care Education Grows Among Health Care Students and Professionals

Integrated care, which emphasizes a collaborative approach to addressing the physical, mental, and social health needs of patients, has demonstrated significant benefits, including improved patient outcomes, reduced healthcare costs, and the mitigation of health disparities.

Since its establishment in 2019, the Center for Integrated Care at Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care has been instrumental in providing education and training in integrated care while delivering clinical services across New Jersey. Recently, researchers from the center have conducted one of the first comprehensive studies exploring the perceptions and challenges related to integrated care training and practice across various health professions.

The findings of this study, published in the Journal of Integrated Care, are based on a survey of 220 faculty members, clinicians, and students from diverse disciplines, including medicine, pharmacy, psychology, dental medicine, health professions, nursing, social work, as well as clinicians affiliated with University Behavioral Health Care. The survey aimed to gather insights into collaborative care education and identify obstacles to effective training.

Notably, an overwhelming 97% of respondents acknowledged that activities promoting integrated care are frequently integrated into their training. Examples include interdisciplinary consultations in patient care settings, the incorporation of integrated care principles into educational curricula, and opportunities for interprofessional learning. Participants also recognized the positive impact of integrated care on patient care and expressed a desire to continue learning and practicing in this model.

According to a chief psychologist at University Behavioral Health Care, while Rutgers has been a frontrunner in integrated care education, there remains a shortage of mentors and faculty trained in this approach, as well as challenges in curriculum development and the availability of healthcare providers who can offer experiential education and subsequent employment opportunities.

Students emphasized the importance of understanding how different disciplines approach healthcare delivery and collaborating with various professionals as a critical component of their education. Holistic care is fundamentally preventive, and when healthcare professionals--such as pharmacists, behavioral health specialists, nurses, and social workers--work cohesively, they can enhance patient satisfaction, decrease healthcare costs, and minimize employee turnover and absenteeism.

Moreover, when patients have access to both mental and physical health services in a single location, they are more inclined to utilize behavioral health resources. Standard practices now include screening for depression, anxiety, and substance use alongside traditional assessments like blood pressure checks.

Researchers concluded that increasing the involvement of various healthcare providers and primary care offices where students can gain practical experience is essential for advancing education in integrated care. The goal is to establish academic standards that incorporate integrated care training into healthcare professional curricula, ensuring that future practitioners are equipped with the collaborative skills necessary for delivering coordinated treatment that addresses both physical and behavioral health needs.