Be Merge:
Integrating Primary and Behavioral Health Care
To register for the online training, visit: www.cme.hsc.usf.edu.
The Be Merge Primary and Behavioral Health Initiative employs evidence-based practices that represent cutting edge innovation in the field of health care delivery. Through a partnership with USF Health, the Mental Health Association of Palm Beach County provides online, self-paced training for primary care providers including Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants and other primary care staff interested in becoming more proficient at integrating behavioral health screening, billing, and recognition into your practices. When you are Be Merge Certified, your practice will:
- Provide higher quality care resulting in improved patient outcomes,
- Save time and money,
- Reduce risk, and much more.
What is the Be Merge Training?
Be Merge is a self-paced online training program for primary care providers to assist with the integration of mental health and substance abuse recognition, diagnosis, management, and referral into the primary care practice. We invite physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and all who work in primary care to take this important training. The training is comprised of:
- Six online self-paced training modules, which are about 20-30 minutes in length.
- Ongoing technical and clinical support provided by the Be Merge Team.
- Up to date, evidence-based desktop reference materials.
- Virtual access to referrals to behavioral health specialists.
- Opportunity to earn continuing education credits.
- Training completion results in Be Merge certification.
- Fee for training is only $99.
Not only will your patients benefit from your added knowledge, but you will also discover financial and time advantages and increased risk management awareness. In addition, you will have access to our Be Merge Provider Referral Database (for referrals to specialists) and other technical assistance from the Mental Health Association of Palm Beach County. This is a self-administered training that you can take on your own timetable. There are 6 modules, each taking approximately 20 minutes to take with a short test at the end of each. Training completion results in Be Merge Certification.
Module 1: Introduction and Rationale. What is Be Merge? Training program for primary. care providers to assist with recognition, diagnosis, management, and referral of patients with mental health concerns.
Module 2: Common Mental Health Disorders in Primary Care Practice. Common mental health disorders seen in primary care. Diagnostic criteria and characteristics.Special considerations for different populations.
Module 3: Interviewing for Behavioral Health Issues. Why good communication skills are especially important with patients with mental health concerns. Methods of linear and non-linear listening and responding to patient concerns.
Module 4: Evidence-Based Screening Tools. The use and purpose of brief screening instruments for behavioral health. How to interpret screening results. How to integrate results into treatment plans.
Module 5: Medication Treatment Protocols. Things to consider in deciding what and when to prescribe. Protocols for the use of medications for behavioral health conditions.
Module 6: Billing Opportunities and Integration of Practice. Billing for behavioral health. Office procedures to maximize the efficiency of health and behavioral health integration.
To register for the online training, visit: www.cme.hsc.usf.edu.
If you would like your primary care practice to be Be Merge Certified, please contact the Mental Health Association of Palm Beach County at 561-832-3755 or info@mhapbc.org
Be Merge is jointly sponsored by:
Online Training Information
Target Audience: This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of physicians, psychologists, nurses, nurse practitioners, social workers, mental health counselors/therapists, addiction professionals, and other professionals who treat patients with behavioral health issues.
Accreditation:
Physicians: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint sponsorship of USF Health and the Mental Health Association of Palm Beach County. USF Health is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
USF Health designates this enduring material for a maximum of 2 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Nurses: USF Health is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. A maximum of 2 contact hours may be earned by learners who successfully complete this continuing nursing education activity.
Psychologists: USF Health is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. USF Health maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This activity is approved for 2 CE credits. Full attendance to the home study is required. Partial credit will not be awarded.
Florida Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists, and Mental Health Counselors: USF Health is an approved provider (BAP#433 – Exp. 3/31/13) of continuing education credits for clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, and mental health counseling. This program has been reviewed and approved for up to 2.25, 50-minute contact hours.
Certified Addiction Professionals: The University of South Florida College of Public Health is an approved provider of CAP credits by the Florida Certification Board, Provider Number 5016-A. This program has been reviewed and approved for up to 2 CEUs.
Others: Certificates of attendance will be provided for all other attendees.
Cancellation Policy: Cancellations must be received in writing and will be subject to a $35 processing fee.
USF Health reserves the right to cancel this program due to unforeseen circumstances, in which case a full refund of the registration fee will be given to participants. USF Health will not be responsible for other expenses incurred by the participant in the unlikely event that the program is cancelled.
Equal Opportunity
Events, activities and facilities of the University of South Florida are available without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, disability, age, or Vietnam veteran status as provided by law and in accordance with the University's respect for personal dignity.
Accommodations for Disabilities
Please notify the CPD Office at 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDC 46, Tampa, FL 33612 or call 813-224-7860 or e-mail smakar@health.usf.edu if a reasonable accommodation for a disability is needed.
For more information, please contact the Mental Health Association of Palm Beach County at 561-832-3755 or info@mhapbc.org
Be Merge is jointly sponsored by:
Learn more about Be Merge