Implementing a Web-Based Intervention to Train Community Clinicians in an Evidence-Based Psychotherapy: A Pilot Study

Psychiatr Serv. 2015 Sep;66(9):988-91. doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.201400318. Epub 2015 May 1.

Abstract

Objective: The authors conducted a feasibility assessment of online training plus an online learning collaborative to support implementation of an evidence-based psychosocial treatment in a community mental health system.

Methods: Two mental health centers were randomly allocated to in-person training with local supervision, and three were assigned to online training plus an online learning collaborative supported by expert clinicians. Participants (N=36) were clinicians interested in interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT), an evidence-based psychotherapy for bipolar disorder. After training, 136 patients reported monthly on the extent to which clinicians used 19 IPSRT techniques.

Results: Clinicians from both training groups increased use of IPSRT techniques. Patients of clinicians receiving Internet-supported e-learning and of those receiving in-person training reported comparable clinician use of IPSRT techniques.

Conclusions: Internet-supported e-learning by community clinicians was found to be feasible and led to uptake of an evidence-based psychotherapy comparable to that by clinicians who received face-to-face training.

MeSH terms

  • Bipolar Disorder / therapy*
  • Community Mental Health Services / methods*
  • Computer-Assisted Instruction / methods*
  • Evidence-Based Medicine / methods*
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Humans
  • Inservice Training / methods
  • Internet*
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Pilot Projects
  • Psychotherapy / education*
  • Psychotherapy / methods