Kootenai | Kootenai Health | Issue 4, 2019

our region to help manage this population. When the option came up to develop a fellowship program specific to behavioral health and medication management, we decided it was time.” Earninga fellowship The year-long behavioral health fellowship will train family medicine physicians, particularly those planning to practice in rural communities, to better care for patients with mental health and psychiatric concerns. The fellowship prepares these physicians to provide integrated behavioral health within a primary care clinic. By the time the providers complete the fellowship, they will have advanced knowledge in prescribing medications for behavioral health issues. Providers will be able to: • Work effectively in an interprofessional team of faculty physicians, resident physicians, clinical pharmacists, care coordinators and social workers • Help educate family medicine residents and provide hospital training in the evaluation and treatment of psychiatric problems, as well as autism, attention- de cit/hyperactivity disorder, eating disorders, and chronic pain management “We have a great variety of providers and treatments here at Kootenai, which makes this program a great fit for future fellows,” said Dr. Miller. “There will be a lot of support from community providers and behavioral health staff at Kootenai. We’re working to create a program specially designed to meet the needs of our region.” Honing their skills Dr. Miller explained that many family medicine providers who help manage behavioral health issues are uncomfortable prescribing and managing these types of medications. Completing a fellowship allows providers to focus on a narrower field of study and develop a very specific skill set. Interested in Kootenai Clinic’s Family Medicine Residency? Call (208) 625-4255 or learn more at KH.org/residency . “Treating behavioral health issues is different from treating other conditions using classic medicine. There’s a skill level and additional education and experience that’s needed to feel comfortable in working with these types of patients,” Dr. Miller said. “This discomfort and lack of experience may deter providers from taking on these cases or cause frustration.” Dr. Miller noted that Idaho is currently ranked 49th in the nation for access to behavioral health treatment, and people with chronic mental illnesses—a growing population—have the hardest time accessing care. He believes there are several factors that affect this growth, including: • A slight destigmatization of mental illness • More patients who are willing to discuss their concerns and seek out care • Reduced funding for state programs, which causes more people to seek out private care “It’s great to see our community partners and Kootenai Health stepping up to help solve the problem,” Dr. Miller said. “It’s an opportunity to increase the expertise in our area and give family doctors more comfort in treating their patients.” Idaho is currently ranked 49th in the nation for access to behavioral health treatment. KH . ORG 13