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Primary Care Psychology Training Collaborative featured in two annual reports

December 1, 2017

trainees in clinic with patient

The work of the Primary Care Psychology Training Collaborative was featured prominently in two recent reports—the VCU Division of Community Engagement's 2016-17 Impact Report and the Virginia Health Care Foundation's 25th Anniversary Annual Report. 

Excerpt from the VCU Division of Community Engagement report:

“It has really changed the culture of training in our department,” Rybarczyk said. “The students are coming back with tremendous knowledge and enthusiasm for underserved care, and it’s given us a window into the underserved world that we couldn’t get otherwise. Masters theses and dissertations are emerging from the collaborative, and large numbers of research papers and book chapters have been published. Moreover, talented students from around the country are attracted to our program because of our unique training model and engagement with the community. We are part of this larger national conversation on how we can use this integrated care model to really transform healthcare and reduce disparities for low-income, underserved patients.” Read the VCU Division of Community Engagement's full report.

Excerpt from the Virginia Health Care Foundation's report:

“Many uninsured patients face extremely challenging life circumstances. These can lead to depression, anxiety, psychoses or suicidal thoughts and the need for mental health care, as well as medical care. Many physicians can’t help due to limited behavioral health training. VHCF seed money has helped change that via a pilot that embeds Clinical Psychology doctoral trainees from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in health safety net clinics with medical residents. When patients at the VCU Ambulatory Care Clinic also have mental health concerns, the team works together to help them. It’s been a win/win. Patients receive immediate help with mental health issues, and the trainees and residents learn how to work in an integrated care environment." Read the Virginia Health Care Foundation's full report.