Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #118536

Nancy J. Kennedy, DrPH, Association of Clinicians for the Underserved, 1420 Spring Hill Road, Suite 600, Tysons Corner, VA 22102, 703-442-5318, nkennedy@clinicians.org, Edward Haaz, MEd, CAC, President, M.H. Consultants, Inc., 1878 Sugar Bottom Road, Furlong, PA 18925, Barry Bleidt, PhD, PharmD, Professor and Associate Dean, Academic Affairs, Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, MSC 131, 700 University Blvd., Kingsville, TX 78363-8202, David E. Barbee, PhD, Learning Systems Architect, 4419 Harrison Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20015, and Ellis Frazier, MD, Family Healthcare Inc., 1049 Western Avenue, Chillicothe, OH 46501.

Insularity of physical and mental health problems does not end at freeways, subways, fenced-in pastures or borders. Evidence-based research has demonstrated not only the importance but also the need of having a panoply of resources to promote wellness and prevent or treat disorders. Individuals who are poor and/or underserved often need the greatest array of providers to address the risk factors that influence health or well-being. A great deal of time, effort, and money has been spent by public entities such as federal and state governments and organizations and professional associations in developing programs and tools to enhance the capacity of primary care providers to assess, refer, and treat individuals with mental health and substance abuse needs. However, the diffusion and adoption of the programs and tools are often negated by the lack of communication among different types of providers and also between consumers and providers. What is needed is a transdisciplinary approach that is inclusive of not only medically trained providers but also public health resources. This approach is not synonymous with an interdisciplinary approach. The challenge is not to create new programs and tools but, rather, to assist providers and consumers in configuring flexible and culturally-appropriate community-based delivery systems that not only address the specific health care needs of individuals and their communities but also sustain interpersonal relationships that view prevention, treatment and recovery as the continuum of care for physical and behavioral problems that, if not addressed, create a chasm for increased chronicity and recidivism.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. Describe the research, practice from both provider care providers, behavioral health specialists, other professional allies, family members and consumers to create a transdisciplinary team approach indigenous to specific environments;
• 2. Recognize the history and barriers of integration of primary care and behavioral health from other significant key members by relating illustrative clinical cases;
• 3. Define transdisciplinary and its approach to healthier people, healthier communities;
• 4. Provide a feasible approach to integration by recognizing the unique needs of specific policies and the tools and resources available for promoting change; and
• 5. Examining the tools and resources available to facilitate change.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commertial supporters WITH THE EXCEPTION OF Federal government employee.