To read this content please select one of the options below:

Embedding new clinical practices: the role of facilitation in enhancing web-based training for mental health providers

Michael R. Kauth (Veterans Affairs, South Central Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Houston, Texas, USA) (Houston VA Health Services Research and Development Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Houston, Texas, USA) (Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA)
Geri Adler (Veterans Affairs, South Central Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Houston, Texas, USA) (Houston VA Health Services Research and Development Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Houston, Texas, USA) (Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA)
Stephen J. McCandless (Little Rock Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA)
Wendy S. Leopolous (Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston, Texas, USA) (Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA)

The Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice

ISSN: 1755-6228

Article publication date: 9 January 2017

169

Abstract

Purpose

External facilitation has been shown to increase the implementation and aid sustainment of new clinical practices. The purpose of this paper is to describe the addition of facilitation to web-based training on dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills to promote adoption of this intervention among diverse mental health providers at US Veterans Health Administration facilities.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 41 participants completed six web-based modules and met in two groups monthly over nine months by telephone with a facilitator who was also an experienced DBT skills group therapist. All participants agreed to conduct a DBT skills group as part of training. The facilitators employed a variety of engagement strategies to meet the evolving needs of participants during the training period. Participants completed an online evaluation of the modules and their facilitation experience at six weeks post-training and responded to an e-mail query at five months post-training about conducting a DBT group.

Findings

Overall, participants found the training and monthly interprofessional calls with the facilitator useful. Five months post-training, 33 of 41 participants reported conducting a DBT skills group, thus improving access to this intervention. Participants said the biggest barrier to training was finding time during clinic hours to complete the modules, despite assurances of support from local leaders.

Originality/value

This project provides evidence that virtual facilitation enhances training and promotes the adoption of new clinical practices.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors report no financial conflicts of interest.

This material is the result of work supported by the VA South Central Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center and the resources and use of facilities at the Houston VA HSR&D Center of Innovations for Quality, Effectiveness and Safety (CIN 13-413) at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center. The opinions expressed reflect those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the US government or Baylor College of Medicine.

Citation

Kauth, M.R., Adler, G., McCandless, S.J. and Leopolous, W.S. (2017), "Embedding new clinical practices: the role of facilitation in enhancing web-based training for mental health providers", The Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice, Vol. 12 No. 1, pp. 24-32. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMHTEP-01-2016-0001

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited

Related articles