Advancing Integrated Care Through Cotraining of Residents and Psychology Postdoctoral Fellows

Introduction: While integrated behavioral health (IBH) is growing as a primary care practice paradigm, there are gaps in developing the workforce needed. In particular, there are few examples of cotraining curricula in IBH for family medicine residents with postdoctoral psychology fellows. Furthermore, even fewer programs incorporate a colearning primary care practice environment featuring a targeted approach to care for patients with chronic illness using panel management and integrated care. Method: In this article, the authors describe a cotraining experience in an urban federally qualified health center supported by a 5-year Health Resources and Services Administration Title VII grant, within a social justice mission-driven academic department to prepare both family medicine (FM) residents and primary care psychology (PCP) postdoctoral fellows for IBH practice. The article will discuss the specific components of the shared/parallel curriculum, integration of social justice and population health principles and practices, and a structured approach for resident/fellow partnership. Results: The authors share the clinical and educational impacts of this integrated cotraining curriculum model as described by the FM residents and PCP fellows. The article describes workforce results measuring the diversity of the trainees and their postprogram jobs serving vulnerable populations. Discussion: The interdisciplinary cotraining between FM residents and PCP fellows presents an innovative approach to developing workforce capacity for integrated practice in medically underserved settings. This article describes the creation and implementation of a cotraining curriculum and provides recommendations for other programs and residencies preparing their residents and future PCP psychologists to practice and teach skills in integrated care.