Professional practices, training, and funding mechanisms: A survey of pediatric primary care psychologists

The integration of mental health services in primary care settings has expanded rapidly in recent years with psychologists being at the forefront of efforts to promote healthy behaviors, reduce disease, and care for behavioral, emotional, and developmental needs to promote overall health and well-being for children and families (Asarnow, Kolko, Miranda,&Kazak, 2017; Stancin& Perrin, 2014). While there are many psychologists working in pediatric primary care (PPC), little is known about the specific activities that these psychologists engage in, the training they receive, or funding mechanisms that support their work. This study sought to address this gap in the literature through a survey of psychologists working in PPC. An anonymous online survey was disseminated to members of professional organizations and listservs who were identified as having interest in PPC. Psychologists (N-65) currently practicing in PPC completed the survey by reporting on clinical roles and practices, professional training, practice settings, and funding supports in PPC settings. Results indicate that psychologists assume a number of roles in PPC including providing individual and family therapy, conducting screenings for child mental health concerns, and providing consultation to medical colleagues. Many psychologists also provide supervision and offer educational opportunities for those in related fields, such as medicine and social work. Engagement in research activities was identified as a secondary activity. It was reported that a number of clinical activities were not billed for on a regular basis. Additional areas of research will be discussed along with implications for clinical services in PPC.. © 2017 American Psychological Association

Provisional behavioral health licenses to full licenses: Analysis of Nebraska behavioral workforce data 2009–2019

There is a need to recruit and to retain behavioral health providers especially when providers are moving from the provisional licensing status to a full licensure status. This study estimated the rates of conversion of provisional licenses to full licenses among provisionally licensed psychologists, mental health practitioners, master social workers, and alcohol and drug counselors (ADCs) in Nebraska and examined potential associations among demographic characteristics and license conversion rates. Nebraska’s behavioral health licensure data (2009–2019) was obtained from the Health Professional Tracking Service (HPTS) program that was established as a joint effort between Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Human Services Office of Rural Health and University of Nebraska Medical Center. The rate of conversion from provisional to full license during the most recent years ranged from 44% for ADCs to 75% among social workers. Compared to individuals of older age, individuals of younger age are more likely to convert among ADCs (p = .0028). Moreover, compared to individuals living in urban areas, rural practitioners are more likely to convert among social workers (p \u3c .0001). With behavioral health problems on the rise across the country, it is urgent that behavioral health professional shortage areas begin to close the workforce gap. Increasing conversion rates from provisional to full licenses will be a part of this solution

Physician Satisfaction With Integrated Behavioral Health in Pediatric Primary Care

As the benefits of integrated behavioral health care services are becoming more widely recognized, this study investigated physician satisfaction with ongoing integrated psychology services in pediatric primary care clinics. Data were collected across 5 urban and 6 rural clinics and demonstrated the specific factors that physicians view as assets to having efficient access to a pediatric behavioral health practitioner. Results indicated significant satisfaction related to quality and continuity of care and improved access to services. Such models of care may increase access to care and reduce other service barriers encountered by individuals and their families with behavioral health concerns (ie, those who otherwise would seek services through referrals to traditional tertiary care facilities)

Transcriptome and epigenome landscape of human cortical development modeled in organoids

Genes implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders are active in human fetal brain, yet difficult to study in a longitudinal fashion. We demonstrate that organoids from human pluripotent cells model cerebral cortical development on the molecular level before 16 weeks postconception. A multiomics analysis revealed differentially active genes and enhancers, with the greatest changes occurring at the transition from stem cells to progenitors. Networks of converging gene and enhancer modules were assembled into six and four global patterns of expression and activity across time. A pattern with progressive down-regulation was enriched with human-gained enhancers, suggesting their importance in early human brain development. A few convergent gene and enhancer modules were enriched in autism-associated genes and genomic variants in autistic children. The organoid model helps identify functional elements that may drive disease onset