University of Hawaii Foundation f/b/o Hawaii Medical Association

Advancing Rural Behavioral Health Integration via Telehealth: Engaging the Island of Kauai

“In 1856, ten physicians in Honolulu petitioned for, and received from King Kamehameha IV, a petition for charter of incorporation of a “society in Honolulu for the encouragement and cultivation of medical science…devoted to the collection and diffusion of medical knowledge, the advancement of the interests and usefulness of the medical profession and cultivation of harmony and good feelings among its members…” The Hawaiian Medical Society was chartered on July 19, 1856, and held its first meeting on August 13th.

HMA proposed a pilot project to examine the possible benefits of empowering primary care physicians [PCPs] through enhanced technical assistance on how to effectively implement and sustain digitally-enabled behavioral health integration [BHI] in their practices. The Island of Kauai was the primary area of focus given its extreme shortage of practicing psychiatrists.

Specifically, this pilot project focused on educating and training a cohort of PCPs on how best to integrate telehealth care delivery (i.e., screening and treatment) and psychiatric consultation solutions for addressing low- to medium-acuity behavioral health needs within their existing patient populations (both for adults and children/adolescents). This project aimed to train medical students in behavioral health to encourage work in the rural areas.”