Baylor College of Medicine - Texas Medical Center Leadership Education in Adolescent Health (BCM-TMC LEAH)

Abstract

Problem:

Adolescents and young adults (AYA) comprise 20.5% of the U.S. population yet account for disproportionate rates of mortality and morbidity from accidents, homicide, suicide, and other preventable conditions, especially those related to mental health and among historically underserved AYA. The threats to health are even greater for AYA with special health care needs of which there are an estimated 919,876 living in Region 6 where this LEAH program would reside. Region 6, including Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arkansas and Louisiana, is in desperate need of bolstered public health capacity and leaders in AYA health who have completed interdisciplinary training. The region serves an ethnically, racially, culturally, geographically, and economically complex AYA population.

Goals and objectives:

Goals of the BCM-TMC LEAH program are to:

1. Prepare diverse leaders in AYA health through didactic, experiential, and research-based interdisciplinary education and training in core health disciplines of medicine, nursing, nutrition, psychology, social work, and public health;
2. Expand diversity, equity, and inclusion related to race, ethnicity, geography, and special populations within all training program components, including trainee/faculty recruitment/retention, staffing plan, curricula, clinical and experiential activities, and research foci to address health disparities and increase health equity for AYA;
3. Develop curricula and training activities, and launch research to produce evidence-based products and practices in primary care, AYA specialty service, and public health;
4. Improve access to behavioral, emotional, mental, developmental, and psychosocial health services, well-being and support for AYA; and 5) Develop, expand, and disseminate population-based strategies and effective practices through collaboration and coordination of telehealth, tele-education/distance learning, technical assistance (TA), and continuing education (CE).

Methodology:

Using a variety of interdisciplinary learning experiences, the BCM-TMC LEAH Training Program will be the catalyst to bring together four nationally ranked institutions located within the Texas Medical Center to prepare graduates in medicine, nursing, nutrition, psychology, and social work, plus public health to assume leadership roles in the development, improvement, and integration of AYA systems of care. Training settings will include Title V organizations and hospital- and community-based programs that are AYA-serving and based on the principles of positive youth development, transition to adulthood, networks of public-private partnerships, and community linkages to bolster public health, interdisciplinary practice, and AYA-centered, comprehensive, and coordinated care. TA, CE, and consultation will be provided to train the current work force throughout Region 6, including those in underserved areas.

COORDINATION:

BCM-TMC LEAH has established partnerships in primary care, public health, and AYA systems of care, including Title V, at the national, regional, state, and local levels and will coordinate with these partners to implement the LEAH program.

Evaluation:

Specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-oriented, inclusive, and equitable (SMARTIE) objectives developed for each goal will be evaluated annually. Data elements will be collected to complete the MCH Administrative Forms and Performance Measures. Strategies to measure program impact, including trainee outcomes at 2-, 5-, and 10-years post-completion of LEAH Training, will be implemented.