b )
Action Area : Collaboration and Communications Perhaps one of the greatest opportunities for Polk County is to truly improve collaboration among providers . Collaboration in this context , as related by qualitative research participants , involves the following topic areas :
• Client or Patient Information . Sharing of information about behavioral health clients / patients in a way that maximizes the efficiency of care , reduces client / patients burden and improves access to care , leads to better quality care and outcomes , and , of course , protects client / patient privacy .
• Multiple Provider Information . Coordinating services to provide enhanced continuity of care for clients or patients receiving services from multiple providers .
• System-level Coordination . Participants note that services are not always equitably administered across Polk County – some areas get few if any services while others receive a higher relative concentration of services . System-level coordination is suggested as a way to better attract and allocate scarce resources while improving access to care .
Collaboration in one or more of the topic areas above was identified by nearly all qualitative research participants . The goal of increasing the efficiency by which clients / patients receive care is often considered an immense challenge . However , some research participants articulately noted that a select number of core changes that involve a few of the larger providers could make a significant impact . Their associated point was , as one person said , “ We can ’ t boil the ocean , but with a little effort , we can make a positive change to how we work together and – more importantly – our patients ’ health .”
Multiple conversations included suggestions about improving collaboration and communications . A few of the select topics included as coordinating client / patient protocols among continuity of care professionals , systems and technology connectivity , and more .
• “ Improve communications between hospital , doctor and other facilities . And – don ’ t forget about the [ Public ] Health Departments !”
• “ Communication among agencies is vital – hard with HIPAA and other laws and restrictions . Several platforms are available to share info , but one universal system would be helpful , even if only for referrals to send patients for larger agencies . No time to manage all of the various platforms .”
• “ It comes down to data sharing and knowing who has a mental health or substance abuse history . Cops don ’ t want to shoot .”
• “ Organizations need the same EHR to improve communications and break down silos .”
• “ Play devil ' s advocate and look at why things are the way they are , why things / processes should be changed , ask the hard questions and don ' t assume the way things have been done are the right way .”
Examples of Potential Interventions for Stage 3
• Create one central resource for behavioral health and substance misuse services , and ensure it is kept up to date . Improve communications among agencies , including a possible listserv .
• Incentivize collaboration among community-based organizations ( CBOs ), health systems , and – importantly – Public Health agencies .
• Consider integrated strategies addressing social determinants of health for individuals with behavioral health needs .
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