Evaluation of the Rural Interprofessional Behavioral Health Scholars Program to Expand Public Health Workforce Capacity During COVID-19

Soc Work Public Health. 2024 Apr 11:1-10. doi: 10.1080/19371918.2024.2339380. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTMental health and substance use are growing nationwide public health concerns being exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, there is a dire shortage in the public health workforce. This paper shares the design and mixed-method outcome evaluation of a Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET)-funded rural, interprofessional, behavioral health training program (RIBHS) delivered during COVID-19 at one southeastern US public university. Twenty-six advanced year MSW students completed the RIBHS program. Data were collected from trainees via pre/post surveys and two focus groups. Trainees' self-reported statistically significant increases in teamwork, behavioral health, and rural practice competencies. Trainees also described how COVID-19 shaped their experience in the RIBHS program. The RIBHS program prepared trainees with the competencies needed to address the growing behavioral health crisis in the US and can serve as a training model for other social work and related public health workforce initiatives.PMID:38602482 | DOI:10.1080/19371918.2024.2339380
Source: Social Work in Public Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Source Type: research