Measured success: a scoping review of evaluated psychosocial interventions training for work with people with serious mental health problems

Abstract

Although the importance of providing psychosocial interventions (PSI) for people suffering with psychosis has now been recognised at a national level, implementation of evidence based practice remains inconsistent and patchy, relying on local priorities, expertise and resources. The National Institute for Mental Health in England (NIMHE) provides an ideal opportunity to develop a coherent, strategic approach to facilitate implementation of PSI in local services. A National PSI Implementation Group has therefore been established with NIMHE that aims to increase the availability of evidence-based approaches for psychosis in routine practice, addressing obstacles that can hinder successful implementation. Appropriate training, although merely one of a number of issues to consider when implementing evidence and values based practice, remains absolutely fundamental to any strategy. PSI training has been developed to meet local need and aims to be responsive to both advances in the evidence-base and in national mental health policy. From the origins of the two Thorn Training programmes that were set up in 1992 there are now at least 80 PSI training programmes in England, ranging from short introductory courses, through to diploma and MSc level programmes (Brooker, 2001). These programmes provide the skills and knowledge required to implement the holistic approach to care that is promoted by the Department of Health’s National Service Framework for Mental Health (1999) and the associated Policy Implementation Guidance An additional aspect of many advanced PSI courses is that they seek to ensure that skills taught are actually implemented in clinical practice. Therefore, unlike other training or academic programmes, strong links are established prior to, during and post-training with clinical supervisors, service leaders and managers. These programmes are also quite unique in that there is active collaboration with service users and carers in both curriculum development and teaching activities. The NIMHE PSI Implementation group have commissioned the current review to gain a better understanding of what the evidence base is for PSI training, to compare training programmes with similar content, to review what outcomes have been evaluated and to summarise the findings. With this knowledge the group hopes to be able to provide advice to training providers, researchers and commissioners that is both objective and informed