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

ABSTRACT

Mental 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.

KEYWORDS:

• Behavioral health
• training
• rural health
• interprofessional
• evaluation

Acknowledgments

Dr. Melissa Reitmeier passed away prior to publication. Her contribution to this manuscript and to the field of social work generally were immense. Melissa was also a wonderful friend, colleague, and mentor. She is and will continue to be missed and remembered.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number M01HP31378.