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Prevention Programs
CBHNP has implemented two prevention programs for our Members. Prevention programs were chosen based on the needs of our Members. Demographic, cultural, clinical and risk information was considered in choosing prevention programs. Factors such as age, sex, socioeconomic status, ethnic background, family support system, cultural identity and practices, diagnostic and risk characteristics were all considered in identifying the needs of our HealthChoices population and in choosing appropriate and effective prevention initiatives. The Preventive Behavioral Health Program Member education materials can be viewed by providers via a secure website at www.themihalikgroup.com. From The Mihalik Group’s home page, click on the Secure Site Access link. You will be prompted to provide the username and password previously provided to you. If you do not know your username and password, please contact your Provider Relations Representative. If you have any problems accessing the site, please call The Mihalik Group at 773-929-1722. Early Identification of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) CBHNP offers a preventive health program designed to assist parents in identifying age-appropriate behaviors and raising awareness about ADHD. The information is supplied in a newsletter format that includes a screening tool for ADHD. This information is sent to parents of all Capital Area HealthChoices Members turning age six. This educational program compliments the care given by providers. Together with provider support, CBHNP can help parents recognize the signs and symptoms of ADHD. This program can help parents understand age-appropriate behaviors and skills as well as behaviors that might be indicative of ADHD. The goal of the program is to help parents identify if their child is at high risk for ADHD and if at risk, secure a professional diagnostic evaluation. An evaluation early in the course of illness, coupled with appropriate treatment, will improve the treatment outcomes for these children. CBHNP regularly measures how well the prevention programs are working through a Member survey. For the ADHD Program, five items are measured on a “1” (worst) to “4” (best) scale. In the most recent quarter, 1019 Members were identified to receive the educational information. 987 surveys were delivered and no one opted out of the program. 13 Members returned the survey, a total of 1.3% of those receiving the survey responded. Following are the most current results of the responders to the survey: Basic Skills and Abilities (Item 1) – how helpful is the program in describing the basic skills and abilities that children need in order to do well at home and in school. Problem Recognition (Item 2) – how informative the materials were in describing how to recognize problems their child may experience. ADHD Information (Item 3) – how helpful the materials were in providing them with a basic understanding of ADHD and its symptoms. ADHD Identification (Item 4) – how helpful the screening tool was. Directing Further Action (Item 5) – how much the information helped them understand what they could do about difficulties their child may experience. Improving Treatment Compliance for Adults with Depression
CBHNP offers a preventive health program for Members between the ages of 18 and 64 who have recently been diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and are being treated with psychotherapy and/or antidepressant medication. This program is designed to improve clinical outcomes for these individuals by educating them about depression, its symptoms, available treatments, the course of recovery, and by helping them understand critical aspects of their own role in the treatment process. A series of three education newsletters are sent to all Members with new diagnoses of major depression. Together with provider support, CBHNP can help its Members, receiving treatment for MDD, become informed consumers of health care and actively involved in their own treatment. It is our hope that the educational materials will help Members understand the importance of communicating with their providers and increase treatment compliance. Treatment compliance and communication about treatment issues are critical to helping individuals overcome their depression in a timely and effective manner. CBHNP regularly measures how well the prevention programs are working. The most recent quarterly reports indicate for Depression, 384 modules were sent to persons identified with Depression for the first time. Of those, 336 reached the party; two Members opted out of the program. 13 Members returned the survey, 3.3% of the Members that received the survey. The survey indicated the following information from the surveys:
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