Training staff in enhanced relapse prevention for bipolar disorder: rates of uptake and measures of skill and confidence.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the feasibility and effectiveness of training clinical staff in enhanced relapse prevention for people with bipolar disorder in routine services.


METHODS
A cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted in North West England. This brief report focuses on the 56 staff who received enhanced relapse prevention. Staff-perceived skill in working with people with bipolar disorder to prevent relapse was assessed pretraining, posttraining, and postsupervision. Staff ratings of confidence and trainer ratings of competence for key elements of enhanced relapse prevention were made posttraining and postsupervision. Staff gave feedback on training and supervision.


RESULTS
Feedback was very positive. Staff's perception of their skill increased after training and increased further after supervision. Most staff felt confident and were rated as competent in key elements of enhanced relapse prevention after training and supervision.


CONCLUSIONS
An effective training and supervision package was developed. Barriers to implementation need to be addressed.
Spectrum Centre, Institute for Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA14YT, United Kingdom. f.lobban@lancaster.ac.uk
Fiona
F
Lobban
Lee
L
Taylor
Claire
C
Chandler
William
W
Sellwood
Carrol
C
Gamble
Elizabeth
E
Tyler
Peter
P
Kinderman
Richard
R
Morriss
D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods; D006113:United Kingdom; D000078329:Workforce