1. The Alabama Coalition for a Healthier Black belt: a proof of concept project.
- Author
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Savage RM, Dillon JM, Hammel JC, Lewis TC, Johnson NC, Barlow LM, Brooms MM, Moore PM, Parker HE, and Rodney KZ
- Subjects
- Alabama, Healthcare Disparities, Humans, Mental Disorders diagnosis, Mental Disorders psychology, Mental Disorders therapy, Mental Health, Pilot Projects, Primary Health Care methods, Primary Health Care organization & administration, Program Evaluation, Qualitative Research, Quality of Life, Stereotyping, Videoconferencing, Black or African American, Black People psychology, Community Mental Health Services organization & administration, Cooperative Behavior, Delivery of Health Care, Integrated organization & administration, Rural Health Services organization & administration, Telemedicine organization & administration
- Abstract
The Alabama Coalition for a Healthier Black was a demonstration of concept project. This paper is a descriptive and qualitative overview of this 2.5 year project. Limited key project results are reported here. Located in the rural Black Belt region of Alabama this coalition had several key aims: to develop a collaboration between primary care and mental health care through co-location of services; use of video-conferencing capability to provide mental health services more efficiently; enhanced training in rural healthcare; and development of stigma reduction campaigns along with other coalition partner specific initiatives. Co-location and telepsychiatry implementation produced the major challenges and resulting adaptations to original aims. Despite many challenges these new service patterns were put into place and appear to be sustainable.
- Published
- 2013
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