Web-Based Training Methods for Behavioral Health Providers: A Systematic Review

There has been an increase in the use of web-based training methods to train behavioral health providers in evidence-based practices. This systematic review focuses solely on the efficacy of web-based training methods for training behavioral health providers. A literature search yielded 45 articles meeting inclusion criteria. Results indicated that the serial instruction training method was the most commonly studied web-based training method. While the current review has several notable limitations, findings indicate that participating in a web-based training may result in greater post-training knowledge and skill, in comparison to baseline scores. Implications and recommendations for future research on web-based training methods are discussed

The Role of Training Variables in Effective Dissemination of Evidence-Based Parenting Interventions

From a public health perspective, mental health in parents and children can be promoted through population-based dissemination of parenting and family support interventions. However, it is critical that service providers who are acquiring evidence-based parenting interventions complete the training regimen to optimize dissemination and impact. This article examines training completion and its relationship to individual service provider characteristics, barriers to program use and subsequent implementation of an evidence-based program, the Triple P - Positive Parenting Program. In this study, 83.7% of the service providers completed the two-part training. Individual-level variables did not predict training completion. Service providers from diverse backgrounds were equally likely to complete training, were highly satisfied with the training provided and reported relatively few barriers to implementation. The majority of those who completed training (67.6%) went on to deliver the program with families in the community, whereas only 37.8% of those who did not complete training used the program subsequently. Implications are discussed for fidelity in delivery, cost-effectiveness in dissemination efforts, and population-wide health promotion

Implementation of Evidence-Based Practice in Community Behavioral Health: Agency Director Perspectives

Despite a growing supply of evidence-based mental health treatments, we have little evidence about how to implement them in real-world care. This qualitative pilot study captured the perspectives of agency directors on the challenge of implementing evidence-based practices in community mental health agencies. Directors identified challenges as limited access to research, provider resistance, and training costs. Director leadership, support to providers, and partnerships with universities were leverage points to implement evidenced-based treatments. Directors’ mental models of EBP invoked such concepts as agency reputation, financial solvency, and market niche. Findings have potential to shape implementation interventions.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/61161/1/Implementation.pd

Enrolling Family Participants in a Statewide Implementation Trial of an Evidence- Based Treatment

Background—Community-based research with families is subject to unique challenges in recruiting and enrolling participants, particularly when researchers do not have face-to-face contact with participants. Objectives—To identify strategies that overcome challenges associated with the recruitment and enrollment of family participants from community behavioral health settings into a research study. Methods—We used a case study design to describe lessons learned during the recruitment and enrollment phases of a large-scale study of the implementation of an evidence-based treatment (EBT) across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Lessons Learned—Key lessons identified include the early involvement of stakeholders, engaging clinicians in the research process, establishing a research–community relationship, and using a flexible, ongoing recruitment approach. Conclusions—In large-scale community-based research, engagement, recruitment, and enrollment strategies are particularly crucial. The strategies included in this paper are relevant to multiple disciplines involving community-based research

Testing a community developed training protocol for an evidence-based treatment

The implementation of evidence-based treatments (EBTs) in community behavioral health settings is a recommended practice, yet training experienced by community-based clinicians may require novel and creative training methods. The current study focused on creating a training protocol for Alternative for Families: a Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy from both evidence-based foundations and community-based agency feedback to promote better EBT integration into agencies. Twenty-four clinicians from three agencies were trained using a community-informed training protocol. Outcomes for clinician-reports of organizational functioning, self-reports of skill and knowledge, and observational single-subject data of clinician skills were assessed. Minimal improvements were found for clinician skills across self-report and observations. More research on tailoring trainings to meet needs of community agencies and clinicians should be explored to determine best practice in wide-scale implementation efforts