The IMATER initiative promotes rural health care services through training and increases access to Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) services in Page County, Virginia, a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) for the discipline of mental health (HRSA, 2017). James Madison University (JMU) has partnered with Valley Health Page Memorial Hospital (PMH) and the Page Free Clinic to provide counseling and nursing services required to maintain and increase access to MAT services offered by PMH physicians. The evidence-based combination of MAT and and counseling using CBT to treat substance abuse and co-occurring mental health disorders will reduce health care costs, improve health outcomes, ensure efficient transitions of care, and improve population health by providing access to care within the rural community where clients reside.
For more information, please contact:
Kelly Atwood, Project Director at atwoodkc@jmu.edu.
Robin Anderson, Project Evaluator at ander2rd@jmu.edu.
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JMU residency will increase counseling in Page County
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