A – 79 A Model for Primary Care Behavioral Health Neuropsychological Training: Increasing Access and Reducing Health Disparities

Abstract Objective This program evaluation presents a training-integrated model for providing neuropsychological services in primary care behavioral health (PCBH) settings. It aims to enhance access to culturally responsive assessments in underserved communities while serving as a workforce pipeline for doctoral-level psychology trainees in interdisciplinary, equity-centered roles. Method This review analyzes data from programmatic records, training documentation, and service delivery metrics collected over seven-years in a multisite federally qualified health center. The de-identified and aggregated data were used for quality improvement and clinical training oversight, ensuring compliance with human subjects research regulations. Results The training model focuses on live supervision, allowing learners to progress from observation to independent practice. Over 16 trainees have completed the rotation, developing skills in multicultural assessment, brief functional testing, and interdisciplinary communication. The program emphasized real-world functionality, assessing medical decision-making, safety, and daily living capacity. Collaborating with medical and behavioral health teams, trainees learned to provide clear, practical feedback aligned with care plans. The use of interpreters, culturally adapted tools, and case conferences improved diagnostic clarity and trainee competence, boosting their confidence in complex, cross-cultural assessments within primary care. Conclusion This integrated neuropsychology training model demonstrates how embedding assessment services in primary care can simultaneously reduce health disparities and build a workforce equipped for culturally responsive, team-based care. The model enables timely diagnoses and enhances care planning, preparing future clinicians for interdisciplinary work. It recommends expanding similar programs in community health, boosting language-access tools, providing culturally relevant test data, and establishing policies to sustain neuropsychological services in primary care.