Background Rates of overweight and obesity are disproportionately high among youth with serious emotional disturbance (SED). Little is known about community mental health providers' delivery of weight loss interventions to this vulnerable population. Objective This study examined attitudinal predictors of their providers' intentions to deliver weight loss interventions to youth with SED using the theory of planned behaviour. Design This study used a cross‐sectional, single‐time‐point design to examine the relationship of the theory of planned behaviour constructs with behavioural intention. Setting and Participants Community mental health providers (n = 101) serving youth with SED in the United States completed online clinical practice and theory of planned behaviour surveys. Main Variables Studied We examined the relationship of direct attitude constructs (i.e., attitude towards the behaviour, social norms and perceived behavioural control), role beliefs and moral norms with behavioural intention. Analyses included a confirmatory factor analysis and two‐step linear regression. Results The structure of the model and the reliability of the questionnaire were supported. Direct attitude constructs, role beliefs and moral norms predicted behavioural intention to deliver weight loss interventions. Discussion While there is debate about the usefulness of the theory of planned behaviour, our results showed that traditional and newer attitudinal constructs appear to influence provider intentions to deliver weight loss interventions to youth with SED. Findings suggest preliminary strategies to increase provider intentions. Public Contribution This study was designed and the results were interpreted as part of a larger, community‐based participatory research effort that included input from youth, families, providers, administrators and researchers. Collaborative discussions with community mental health providers and administrators particularly contributed to the study question asked as well as interpretation of results.

As part of the 2014-15 Academic Leadership Fellows Program, the cohort teams presented debates on topics relevant to academic pharmacy at a public forum during the 2015 American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Interim Meeting. The topic of one of the debates was "Academic Freedom Should Be Redefined." The "point" of the debate focused on important issues such as the fundamental definition of academic freedom as it was written in the 1940 American Association of University Professors' Statement and the need for redefinition as a consequence of many misunderstandings and misinterpretations that have arisen over time. The "counterpoint" received the greatest support, and it asserted that redefinition is not necessary, but rather the need is to clearly articulate the intended meaning of academic freedom through education, discussion, and by not supporting inappropriate behaviors in the name of "academic freedom." Reinforced clarity and operational guidance from the academy and academic institutions may add further clarification and may be the best approach to address the concerns related to academic freedom.

Current evidence suggests an association between topiramate and weight loss. Based on the limited data, controlled studies need to be conducted to define the role of topiramate in patients with mood disorders who would also benefit from weight reduction.

As the focus of healthcare changes from a “sick” care model to a population health model, primary care and specialty clinic practices have new opportunities supported through Medicare reimbursement. The incorporation of team-based care coordination programs into clinic practices is an important step towards value-based care and achieving the Triple Aim: better health for the population, better care for individuals, and lower costs through improvements. Since 2019, six rural Wyoming primary care practices have completed training to implement and expand care coordination programs. HealthTechS3 provides participating clinics with team-based training in the implementation of the Chronic Care Management Program, Behavioral Health Integration, and other billable care coordination services. To date, 301 patients have enrolled in care coordination services. These practices have generated $350,000 in revenue. Using a consolidated implementation framework as a guide, critical components of successful rural care coordination program implementation are discussed.

Background: The Project ECHO model utilizes a hub and spoke approach through which a team of experts co-mentors local providers in the management of complex cases while disseminating information about best practices and evidence-based care. Project ECHO is a promising model for improving patient care through transformation of the care delivery system. The UW ECHO in Rural and Frontier Care Transitions created an online community of practice comprised of local care coalitions dedicated to improving care transitions in Wyoming and Montana. This ECHO network provided a unique opportunity to support system- and provider-level implementation of best practices in care transitions. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirty ECHO attendees following participation in an ECHO session as either a participant or case presenter. Thematic analysis was used to analyze interview data. Results: Two overarching themes emerged 1) impact of the ECHO on the provider or healthcare team and 2) impact on the system. Participants indicated that the impact on the provider/healthcare team included an increased sense of community, increased awareness of community resources, increased knowledge of care transition strategies, and increased confidence in implementing best practices. Additionally, providers indicated increased utilization of community resources. Systemic impacts included increased involvement of interprofessional team members in patient care and utilization of ECHO recommendations to present systemic interventions and changes to colleagues, administration, and leadership. Conclusions: This ECHO network had a particularly strong impact on the provider and healthcare team as participants increased their knowledge, confidence, and use of best practices in care transitions.