“Conversational Advice”: A mixed-methods analysis of medical residents’ experiences co-managing primary care patients with behavioral health providers

Objective When integrated behavioral health clinicians (IBHCs) and residents co-manage patients, residents may learn new approaches. We aimed to understand the effect of co-management on residents’ behavioral health (BH) management learning. Methods Residents completed a web-based survey enquiring: whether co-management included a shared visit and/or face-to-face meeting with an IBHC, whether residents received feedback from the IBHC, and what they learned. Qualitative responses were coded thematically using a constant comparative method. Results Among 117 respondents (overall response rate 72%, 117/163), from five residencies recruited from 40 residencies with BH integration, residents were significantly more likely to receive feedback if they had a shared visit with the patient and an IBHC (yes 69% vs. no 33%; adjusted OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.2–7.6). Residents reported three major learning themes: interpersonal communication skills awareness, BH skills awareness, and newly adopted attitudes toward BH. Residents who received feedback were more likely to report themes of interpersonal communication skills awareness (yes 26.6% vs. no 9.4%). Conclusion BH integration promotes increased feedback for residents practicing face-to-face co-management with IBHCs, and a positive influence regarding residents’ attitudes and perceived skills. Practical implications Residency programs can meaningfully improve residents’ learning by promoting face-to-face co-management with IBHCs.