Essential Integrated Behavioral Health Care Skills for Primary Care Providers: A Delphi Study

Introduction: Workforce development is a vital process for advancing the field of integrated behavioral health in primary care (IBHPC) and depends on the development of job-specific skills that meet the needs of patients and other team members. Job-specific skills guide both university- and worksite-based training programs in preparing future cohorts of health care professionals in IBHPC; however, there are no extant training criteria for nontrainee primary care providers. Method: A multiround survey using a modified Delphi technique was conducted. Participants were recruited from a large national research network, university alumni and community health center partners. Participants included allopathic and osteopathic physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners serving as primary care providers in a variety of IBHPC settings. In the survey, participants were instructed to categorize 22 skills as "Essential, " "Compatible, " or "Irrelevant " for IBHPC practice. Categorized responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and comments were analyzed using a modified thematic analysis method. Results: Fifty-four participants were recruited for the study, with 43 participating in round 1, 38 participating in round 2, and 36 participating in round 3. After 3 rounds, 19 skills received at least 80% consensus as "Essential " and 22 received at least 50% consensus as "Essential. " Comment themes revealed participants were overall agreeable with skills, but had concerns about role, training, and time constraints. Discussion: Primary care providers can prepare for and enhance IBHPC practice by developing skills identified as essential. Employers can adapt this skill list for efforts related to recruiting, hiring, and onboarding.