Publications by authors named "Kimberly J Erlich"

Objectives: To determine the personnel costs and revenue generated by embedding a behavioral health nurse practitioner (BHNP) in primary care clinics to evaluate and manage adolescent behavioral health needs.

Study Design: We estimated personnel costs and revenue from a quality improvement project undertaken at 4 clinic sites between August 1, 2016, and July 31, 2018, at a large multispecialty medical group in northern California.

Methods: Costs were estimated by identifying the actual hours spent by the BHNP and for medical assistant (MA) support and using Bureau of Labor Statistics national data on wages and benefits.

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Approximately 49.5% of the adolescents report a mental health disorder; only about half of the children and adolescents with mental health disorders seek treatment from a mental health professional. Stigma and poor access to behavioral health providers are leading barriers to care.

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Phenylketonuria is a rare inborn error of metabolism. The build-up of phenylalanine in the blood and body tissues can have significant impact on the brain's development. High phenylalanine levels have been shown to be associated with an increase in neuropsychiatric symptoms, including mood, anxiety, and attention problems; decreased social competence; and low self-esteem.

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Introduction: Approximately 25% of adolescents have behavioral disorders, yet few receive treatment. Primary care (PC) screening for depression and anxiety is recommended; however treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), are rarely available in PC settings. Our aim was to determine whether the use of a CBT-based intervention (COPE for Teens) is associated with improved outcomes on measures of depression and anxiety, and to understand the patient experience.

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