Collaborative mental health triage : a public health-oriented strategy

Where biodiversity conservation and environmental preservation are significant concerns, rapid assessment and monitoring of the colonization and spread of non-native species are essential for timely decision-making and response. We developed and evaluated the adequacy of a rapid assessment protocol (RAP) for detecting non-native fish species in 74 Eastern Brazilian lakes. The RAP consists of a single field day employing two surveyors to conduct interviews with local sport fishers, visual surveys of fish, angling with lures, and gillnetting. We compared our results with those from separate, intense, large sampling effort (LSE) field surveys. Despite requiring less than 1/100th of the field effort, the RAP was able to detect the presence of most non-native fish species that were reported in the same lakes by LSE surveys. Information from local sport fishers was invaluable, particularly for detecting species that were in low abundance, but was not available for lakes within a forest preserve area. Non-native introductions commonly lead to rapid and widespread invasion and adverse effects on native biota. Our results strongly suggest that the RAP could function as a cost-effective tool for efficiently assessing the presence of non-native fishes in lakes and monitoring their colonization and spread over large geographic areas.

Land management agencies commonly use rapid assessments to evaluate the impairment of gravel‐bed streams by sediment inputs from anthropogenic sources. We question whether rapid assessment can be used to reliably judge sediment impairment at a site or in a region. Beyond the challenges of repeatable and accurate sampling, we argue that a single metric or protocol is unlikely to reveal causative relations because channel condition can result from multiple pathways, processes, and background controls. To address these concerns, a contextual analysis is needed to link affected resources, causal factors, and site history to reliably identify human influences. Contextual analysis is equivalent in principle to cumulative effects and watershed analyses and has a rich history, but has gradually been replaced by rapid assessment methods. Although the approaches differ, rapid assessment and contextual analysis are complementary and can be implemented in a two‐tiered approach in which rapid assessment provides a coarse (first‐tier) analysis to identify sites that deserve deeper contextual assessment (second‐tier). Contextual analysis is particularly appropriate for site‐specific studies that should be tailored to local conditions. A balance between rapid assessment and contextual analysis is needed to provide the most effective information for management decisions.

In 2004, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Board of Directors formed the Task Force on Mental Health and charged it with developing strategies to improve the quality of child and adolescent mental health* services in primary care. The task force acknowledged early in its deliberations that enhancing the mental health care that pediatricians and other primary care clinicians† provide to children and adolescents will require systemic interventions at the national, state, and community levels to improve the financing of mental health care and access to mental health specialty resources. Systemic strategies toward achieving these improvements are the subject of other publications of the task force: “ Strategies for System Change in Children's Mental Health: A Chapter Action Kit ” (chapter action kit),1 “Improving Mental Health Services in Primary Care: Reducing Administrative and Financial Barriers to Access and Collaboration,”2 and “Enhancing Pediatric Mental Health Care: Strategies for Preparing a Community.”3 The task force also recognized that enhanced mental health practice will require competencies not currently achieved by many primary care clinicians; in the policy statement “The Future of Pediatrics: Mental Health Competencies for Pediatric Primary Care,”4 the task force collaborated with the AAP Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health to outline these competencies and propose strategies for achieving them. This report offers strategies for preparing the primary care practice itself for provision of enhanced mental health care services. The task force proposes incrementally applying chronic care principles to the care of children with mental health and substance abuse problems as primary care clinicians apply them to the care of children with chronic medical conditions such as asthma. Most primary care clinicians will find that significant gaps exist between their current practice and the proposed ideal. The task force offers guidance in … Address correspondence to Jane Meschan Foy, MD, Department of Pediatrics, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC 27157. E-mail: jmfoy{at}wfubmc.edu

The relevance of the article is determined by: the constant changes and challenges in the field of professional education and the development of public-private partnerships; the necessity for people to adapt to new technological and economic realities, which requires finding new ways of cooperation between public institutions and the private sector in education; the need for domestic professional education to create effective methodological recommendations for the development of public-private partnerships to improve the quality of professional education, enhance the competitiveness of graduates of professional (vocational-technical) education institutions in the labor market, and innovative development of the Ukrainian economy. Purpose: to conduct a theoretical analysis of public-private partnership in the field of professional (vocational-technical) education and determine the modern models of its operation. Methods: theoretical analysis of the source base – to study the normative documents and laws that regulate public-private partnership in the field of professional (vocational-technical) education and determine its various models; comparative analysis – to identify the common and distinctive characteristics of the identified models of public-private partnership, revealing the peculiarities of their operation; expert evaluation – to obtain recommendations regarding the prospects for the development of public-private partnership in the field of professional education in Ukraine. Results: an analysis of legislative and regulatory documents on the development of public-private partnerships has been carried out; contemporary models of public-private partnership have been identified and analyzed; their features and advantages have been revealed and characterized, which can be used to improve public-private partnership in the field of professional education in Ukraine; the existence of a link between the effectiveness of the partnership and the quality of future professionals' training has been noted; significant opportunities and prospects for this form of collaboration have been outlined. Conclusions. The modern models of public-private partnership in the field of professional (vocational-technical) education include: the partnership model at the legislative level (main attention is paid to the regulation of relations between public and private education entities through the adoption of relevant laws and regulations); the project collaboration model (focus is on the implementation of specific educational projects and programs in conjunction with private companies and organizations); the joint financing and resource provision model (partners jointly finance educational programs and provide access to necessary resources); the partnership model in the form of entrepreneurial activity (includes cooperation with private enterprises and the creation of joint educational enterprises). There is a growing interest from both public and private entities in participating in partnerships in the field of professional education, which can be favorable for the further development of this sector. The positive aspects of public-private partnership include improving the quality of education, expanding financing opportunities and access to resources, and creating practical opportunities for educational attainment. Challenges that exist in the development of the partnership include: the need for legislative regulation, ensuring transparency and effectiveness of cooperation, and resolving issues of intellectual property.

This manuscript deals with and reports on the qualitative exploration of and analysis into the most pertinent, yet severely ignored concept of “institutional/organisational reputation and integrity” in public administration and management. The study was inspired and motivated by the fact that even though theme plays a significant role in influencing trust and support in our public and private entities alike, very little has been written about the concept. The article commences by providing a general theoretical background to and definition of this theme. It also presents a brief overview on the roles of and the importance this largely neglected concept has in enhancing, consolidating, and improving the position of governance and service delivery of both our public and private entities. More significantly, the author identifies four (4) phases/facets/dimensions that are associated with institutional/organisational reputation and integrity, namely: Performative reputation; Moral reputation; Procedural reputation; and Technical reputation, and uses them as the hallmarks for this qualitative exploratory analysis. Methodologically, the study employs a qualitative phenomenological and empirical research paradigm and design, to understand the functionality and performance of institutional/organisational reputation and integrity within the context of South African public and private entities. Qualitative data collection and gathering methods such as (Participant observation; In-depth interviewing; Document study; and Case study) and qualitative data analysis and interpretation techniques such as (Qualitative Content analysis; and qualitative Case analysis) are used to collect and gather data and to analyse and interpret data respectively. The population of the study is described as comprising of all public and private entities serving the people and doing business in South Africa. A judgmental and/or purposive sampling technique is employed as a way of selecting study participants. Findings will be arrived at, and on their basis, recommendations will be clearly provided and articulated.

ObjectiveTo assess the barriers to uptake of eye care services among those with avoidable impairment in the population aged ≥40 years in the South Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingCommunity...

Developing countries face unique challenges in ensuring good governance and effective use of resources, which necessitates technology for auditing as traditional methods struggle to address them adequately. Auditor shortages and funding constraints make it difficult to effectively cover public and private entities; hence, most developing countries’ technology adoption is still in its infancy. In recent years, public entities and private organizations are increasingly using digital systems for financial transactions, creating a vast amount of electronic data that requires real-time monitoring. Technology has made companies focus on internal auditing to evaluate the effectiveness of internal controls in influencing performance and detecting errors. Internal auditing systems root out irregularities leading to poor decisions and enable companies to achieve their goals, and technology has made the process fast and reliable. Auditors can analyze huge volumes of structured and unstructured data in the company while accessing 100% of user data to eliminate fraud and inconsistencies. Internal audit is considered an important factor in business because it enables the business to stay on course by reporting the company’s financial performance. The purpose of this paper is to examine how Malaysia adopted technology and revolutionized internal auditing.

Agricultural practices such as livestock grazing and tilling can result in soil erosion and runoff of fine sediments, nutrients (e.g. nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) and pesticides, leading to degradation of aquatic environments. Urbanization is also responsible for a variety of impacts on fluvial ecosystems, including pollution by heavy metals, oil, domestic sewage and garbage. In this study, we evaluate the impact of land use on stream health of the Uberabinha river catchment. Overall, rural streams presented better ecological conditions than urban streams. Both species composition and abundance of benthic communities showed significant differences between rural and urban streams. Urban streams presented a higher dominance of Oligochaeta, Hirudinea and Gastropoda, bioindicators of poor water quality. Rural streams presented significantly greater richness and diversity. Compared to urban streams, rural streams presented a significantly higher number of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera, Odonata and Hemiptera taxa. Our analyses also showed congruence (high correlation) among the classical biodiversity metrics (Shannon-Wiener index - H', Pielou's measure of eveness - J) and monitoring parameters (% Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera - EPT, Biological Monitoring Work Party - BMWP, bioindicator approach and Rapid Assessment Protocol - RAP, a habitat-based approach). Five from seven rural streams presented good water quality according to both BMWP and RAP and none of the urban streams presented good water quality. Our results show that the urban streams of Uberlândia municipality are poor ecosystems, and require improved management actions by environmental authorities. We also encourage that the riparian forest restoration and management carried out in the upper portion of Uberabinha River catchment to be extended to the urban area of the municipality.

This work developed and tested a rapid assessment protocol (RAP) in a watershed of the Paraíba do Sul River Basin, to be applied by elementary school students. The study was conducted in a public school of São José dos Campos (SP), with 60 students of the 6th grade (n = 30) and 7th grade (n = 30). The protocol developed includes 12 parameters with text consistent with student levels and with illustrations of the variables of each parameter. The parameters are the type of usage of the stream margins, erosion and siltation, presence of sewage, presence of aquatic plants, water odor, water oiliness, water transparency, type of bottom, rapids and water flow, garbage presence, the presence of animals, and the presence of riparian vegetation. The results showed that 65% of the students understood all parameters and showed great interest in the proposed protocol; the others needed to better understand the parameters of erosion and siltation, presence of aquatic plants, rapids, water flow and presence of riparian vegetation. It was found that the developed RAP was appropriate and can contribute as an educational tool for the study of water quality.

Outpatient mental health care in the United States is delivered by an uncoordinated patchwork of public and private entities that struggle to effectively differentiate the care they provide. The COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed transformative changes in this space, including rapid adoption of telehealth and escalating private sector investment to provide services for individuals wishing to obtain care through insurance. In this article, we briefly review the current landscape of ambulatory mental health care. Utilizing Kissick's Iron Triangle model of health care delivery, we compare the relative strengths and weaknesses of academic medical centers and the growing private sector, entities potentially positioned to synergistically foster a mental health ecosystem with improved quality, access, and cost-effectiveness. A roadmap for strategic integration is presented for how academic centers-institutions frequently overwhelmed by patient volume-might leverage partnerships with a private sector eager to utilize novel technology to improve access, demonstrate data-driven outcomes, and advocate for improved reimbursement from payers. We also assess the potential risks and pitfalls of such collaboration. In return, academic institutions can refocus on their strengths, including research, systems knowledge, quality-improvement initiatives, education and training, and specialty clinical care.

Aims:This paper aims to explore the intricacies of cross-sectoral collaboration in mental health care, focusing on the perspectives of health professionals across various disciplines. It seeks to understand how collaboration can enhance service delivery and patient outcomes while identifying existing challenges.Background:The evolving healthcare landscape emphasizes the importance of integrating services across sectors, particularly in mental health care, to improve continuity and efficiency of care.Design:The study utilizes qualitative methods to investigate health professionals’ experiences with cross-sectoral collaboration in mental health services.Methods:Purposive sampling was used to select 21 health professionals for focus group discussions held at a mental health center in Region Zealand, Denmark. Data was collected through these discussions, and content analysis was performed to extract key themes. The data collection took place in 2022.Results/findings:Health professionals recognized the potential benefits of cross-sectoral collaboration, such as enhanced service delivery and improved patient outcomes. However, significant barriers were identified, including bureaucratic obstacles, communication gaps, and insufficient organizational support.Conclusion:Cross-sectoral collaboration in mental health care offers significant advantages, but challenges must be addressed to fully realize its potential. Efforts should focus on policy reforms, organizational support, and fostering interdisciplinary communication to improve care delivery.

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The article deals with the issues of interaction between public authorities and private entities with the aim of ensuring cybersecurity and protection of electronic information resources of Ukraine in particular. To this end, an analysis of approaches in foreign countries as well as domestic legislation, was carried out.

This article aims to address audit role in corporate governance in the light of scientific literature. The foundation of this study is achieved by synthesizing current state of knowledge through quantitative and qualitative research. So we extracted the main lines of topics: conceptual levels on internal audit, corporate governance developments at national and international levels, internal audit in corporate governance of public and private entities from Romania and other corporate governance issues. As a research method, we used survey and data were processed using a statistical program. The novelty that we caught in the present paper is the analysis of the role of internal audit in the governance in public and private entities through two pillars: promoting ethics and values within the organization and ensuring effective organizational performance management/governance.

The Texas Hydrogen Highway project has showcased a hydrogen fuel cell transit bus and hydrogen fueling infrastructure that was designed and built through previous support from various public and private sector entities. The aim of this project has been to increase awareness among transit agencies and other public entities on these transportation technologies, and to place such technologies into commercial applications, such as a public transit agency. The initial project concept developed in 2004 was to show that a skid-mounted, fully-integrated, factory-built and tested hydrogen fueling station could be used to simplify the design, and lower the cost of fueling infrastructure for fuel cell vehicles. The approach was to design, engineer, build, and test the integrated fueling station at the factory then install it at a site that offered educational and technical resources and provide an opportunity to showcase both the fueling station and advanced hydrogen vehicles. The two primary technology components include: Hydrogen Fueling Station: The hydrogen fueling infrastructure was designed and built by Gas Technology Institute primarily through a funding grant from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. It includes hydrogen production, clean-up, compression, storage, and dispensing. The station consists of a steam methane reformer, gas clean-up system, gas compressor and 48 kilograms of hydrogen storage capacity for dispensing at 5000 psig. The station is skid-mounted for easy installation and can be relocated if needed. It includes a dispenser that is designed to provide temperaturecompensated fills using a control algorithm. The total station daily capacity is approximately 50 kilograms. Fuel Cell Bus: The transit passenger bus built by Ebus, a company located in Downey, CA, was commissioned and acquired by GTI prior to this project. It is a fuel cell plug-in hybrid electric vehicle which is ADA compliant, has air conditioning sufficient for Texas operations, and regenerative braking for battery charging. It uses a 19.3 kW Ballard PEM fuel cell, will store 12.6 kg of hydrogen at 350 Bar, and includes a 60 kWh battery storage system. The objectives of the project included the following: (a) To advance commercialization of hydrogen-powered transit buses and supporting infrastructure; (b) To provide public outreach and education by showcasing the operation of a 22-foot fuel cell hybrid shuttle bus and Texas first hydrogen fueling infrastructure; and (c) To showcase operation of zero-emissions vehicle for potential transit applications. As mentioned above, the project successfully demonstrated an early vehicle technology, the Ebus plug-in hybrid fuel cell bus, and that success has led to the acquisition of a more advanced vehicle that can take advantage of the same fueling infrastructure. Needed hydrogen station improvements have been identified that will enhance the capabilities of the fueling infrastructure to serve the new bus and to meet the transit agency needs. Over the course of this project, public officials, local government staff, and transit operators were engaged in outreach and education activities that acquainted them with the real world operation of a fuel cell bus and fueling infrastructure. Transit staff members in the Dallas/Ft. Worth region were invited to a workshop in Arlington, Texas at the North Central Texas Council of Governments to participate in a workshop on hydrogen and fuel cells, and to see the fuel cell bus in operation. The bus was trucked to the meeting for this purpose so that participants could see and ride the bus. Austin area transit staff members visited the fueling site in Austin to be briefed on the bus and to participate in a fueling demonstration. This led to further meetings to determine how a fuel cell bus and fueling station could be deployed at Capital Metro Transit. Target urban regions that expressed additional interest during the project in response to the outreach meetings and showcase events include San Antonio and Austin, Texas. In summary, the project objectives were achieved in the following ways: Through presentations and papers provided to a variety of audiences in multiple venues, the project team fulfilled its goal of providing education and outreach on hydrogen technology to statewide audiences. The project team generated interest that exists well beyond the completion of the project, and indeed, helped to generate financial support for a subsequent hydrogen vehicle project in Austin. The University of Texas, Center for ElectroMechanics operated the fuel cell-electric Ebus vehicle for over 13,000 miles in Austin, Texas in a variety of routes and loading configurations. The project took advantage of prior efforts that created a hydrogen fueling station and fuel cell electric-hybrid bus and continued to verify their technical foundation, while informing and educating potential future users of how these technologies work.