This on-demand webcast addresses the current gap between ideal practices (based on current knowledge) and actual practices in how medical practitioners manage patients with behavioral health disorders. Proper diagnosis, timely referrals, and effective treatment plans can aid in bridging the practice gap and improve patient outcomes for those with behavioral health conditions. Learners will gain insight regarding the primary care physician’s (PCP’s) role in behavioral health, how to implement effective referrals, develop skills to implement post-discharge care with timely and effective treatment plans for patients transitioning from higher levels of care back to primary care, provide strategies to combat stigma surrounding behavioral health, and improve coordination of care between PCPs and behavioral health providers. Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) measures used to evaluate the quality of behavioral health care will also be highlighted.

Identification and early intervention for pregnant and postpartum women with substance-use disorders (SUD) are critical for optimizing maternal and neonatal health and wellbeing. The risk factors, common barriers to treatment, evidence-based practices around screening and interventions, and the framework for collaborative strategies to support pregnant and postpartum women with SUD will be discussed.