Pincus, Liza E.. Dissemination and implementation in Philadelphia community mental health: providers' perspectives on professional development. Retrieved from https://doi.org/doi:10.7282/t3-v91f-d742
DescriptionObjective: Previous studies have explored mechanisms of improving evidence-based treatment delivery in community mental health. Specifically, ongoing consultation and organizational support have been identified as key factors in sustaining implementation initiatives. However, the incentives of mental health providers within such initiatives to participate in and take on increasing levels of responsibility, from a professional development perspective, have yet to be widely examined. This study aimed to address the gap in the implementation science literature.
Methods: Twenty-two providers in the Prolonged Exposure Initiative completed a survey exploring why they joined, the impact of training and ongoing consultation on their professional development goals, and the impact of agency support for the initiative on their goals, and on clinician turnover. Survey results were analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative approaches.
Results: Survey results showed that providers joined the PE Initiative to learn an evidence-based practice and increase their ability to effectively treat PTSD. Providers largely found training and ongoing consultation helpful, and reported that consultation provided the feedback and support necessary to achieve their professional goals. Providers who decided to pursue PE consultant training mostly did so in order to gain or expand upon supervision skills, and to improve their own clinical skills. Providers mentioned themes related to PE clinician turnover including broader organizational factors.
Conclusions: Ongoing consultation specifically facilitated providers’ professional development goals within the PE Initiative, which is an important takeaway for the future of implementing EBPs in community mental health. The survey identified several areas for further exploration, including how consultation can help solve organizational barriers, and how taking on additional responsibility within implementation initiatives can facilitate provider engagement.