Promoting Equitable Access to Behavioral Health in Rural Communities: Lessons from a Qualitative Study of Oregon's Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Program.

Abstract

The evaluation of nine rural Oregon Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) revealed lessons for delivering equitable behavioral health services to diverse populations from the perspectives of clinic leaders and other key partners, including those who receive services at CCBHCs. The Oregon CCBHC evaluation team employed a mixed methods data collection strategy from July to November 2022, including virtual interviews with clinic leaders, in-person focus groups with CCBHC clients at the CCBHCs, a virtual focus group with community-based organization representatives, and interviews with interested parties. Surveys of individuals who could not attend interviews or focus groups were conducted to supplement the findings. The results of this evaluation suggest the importance of four major themes to guide the equitable delivery of behavioral health services: challenges of addressing heath inequities, importance of fostering genuine community engagement, need for building capacity for innovation, and importance of integrating services and care. The experience of Oregon's CCBHCs provides insights into how rural clinics can improve equitable access to behavioral health services and encourage holistic, person-centered care by collaborating with state health authorities and other local community partners. The findings can inform clinicians and policymakers, highlighting the importance of strategic actions centered on equity for achieving better behavioral healthcare access in rural America.