Chronic Disease Management: An Integrated Approach for Rural Populations
J. David Bull, PsyD, LCP, Cherokee Health Systems, Maynardville, Tennessee

Fewer mental health and medical services exist in rural areas, despite poorer health outcomes among individuals residing in rural areas.  Treatment for commonly occurring psychological problems (e.g., depression and anxiety) can be complicated by co-occurring medical conditions.  Chronic health conditions also have a behavioral treatment component, in which behavioral health consultants can provide a critical role.  This presentation will discuss an integrated approach for working with a medical team to addressing the comprehensive wellness needs of patients who reside in rural areas.

Learning Objective 1:
List commonly co-occurring psychological and medical conditions in primary care.
Learning Objective 2:
Describe the behavioral health consultant’s (BHC) role in helping patients manage chronic health conditions in rural integrated primary care settings.
Learning Objective 3:
Outline an effective integrated clinical model that can help address the comprehensive wellness needs of rural residents.

Intermediate level

BIO
J. David Bull, PsyD, LCP, HSP, received his PsyD in Clinical Psychology at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. Dr. Bull currently works as a Behavioral Health Consultant with Cherokee Health Systems based out of Knoxville, Tennessee. He completed both his clinical internship and post-doctoral fellowship at Cherokee Health Systems. Dr. Bull's clinical interests include rural health, integrated primary care, supervision, and consultation.