Implementing a Learning Collaborative for Population-Based Physical and Behavioral Health Integration.

Behavioral health home models are increasingly being utilized to provide physical-behavioral health integration for individuals with mental illness. The Behavioral Health Home Plus model (BHHP) is a phased approach designed to instill a culture of wellness, provide wellness coaching, and offer care coordination for individuals with serious mental illness. The present study utilized a 12-month Learning Collaborative to implement scaling of BHHP in two cohorts totaling 24 community mental health provider organizations in Pennsylvania to include population-wide screening and intervention for tobacco use and hypertension. Providers reported increases in screening rates and wellness goals related to tobacco use and hypertension, as well as reductions in tobacco use and blood pressure readings among participating individuals. Evidence presented indicates that a Learning Collaborative of community mental health providers is a feasible quality improvement approach to scale integration of physical and behavioral health care for individuals with serious mental illness.