New initiative drives dramatic improvements in adolescent behavioral health screening

A nationwide quality improvement initiative led by researchers and clinicians from UC Davis Health, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and partner organizations has resulted in significant improvements in adolescent behavioral health screening across pediatric primary care clinics. The Transformative and Evidence-based Approaches to Mental Health and Substance Use Screening (TEAMSS) collaborative engaged 160 clinicians at 27 clinics across 18 states, aiming to strengthen screening, brief interventions, and follow-up practices for adolescents aged 12 to 18.

The study, published in the American Journal of Medical Quality, found that over the 11-month initiative, there were substantial increases in screening and follow-up care for substance use and mental health concerns. Over 90% of participating clinicians reported that TEAMSS improved or significantly improved patient care and clinic operations, and nine months after the collaborative ended, 85% of clinics reported they had fully maintained the changes implemented during the project.

The virtual model allowed clinics across the country to participate regardless of geography, and the combination of brief learning sessions, individualized coaching, and peer learning helped practices build sustainable systems for addressing adolescent behavioral health concerns.

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