Treatment research for children and youth exposed to traumatic events: moving beyond efficacy to amp up public health impact.
OBJECTIVE
Population-based demands for trauma services have accelerated interest in the rapid deployment of efficacious interventions to address the diverse mental health consequences of traumatic experiences. However, optimal strategies for supporting either implementation or dissemination of trauma-focused interventions within healthcare or mental healthcare systems are underdeveloped.


METHODS
This work offers suggestions for adapting treatment research parameters in order to advance the science on the implementable and practical use of trauma-focused interventions within a public health framework. To this end, we briefly examine the current status of research evidence in this area and discuss efficacy and effectiveness treatment research parameters with specific attention to the implications for developing the research base on the implementation and dissemination of effective trauma practices for children and adolescents.


RESULTS
Examples from current studies are used to identify approaches for developing, testing and enhancing strategies to roll out effective treatment practices in real-world settings.


CONCLUSIONS
New approaches that reflect the contexts in which these practices are implemented may enhance the feasibility, acceptability, replicability and sustainability of trauma treatments and services, and thus improve outcomes for a broader population of youth and families.
Kolko
David J
DJ
Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. kolkodj@upmc.edu
Hoagwood
Kimberly Eaton
KE
Springgate
Benjamin
B
D000293:Adolescent; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000639:trends*; D002648:Child; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000639:trends; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000639:trends; D005246:Feedback; D006284:Health Plan Implementation / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000639:trends*; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D017146:Models, Organizational; D011634:Public Health / Q000639:trends*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000639:trends; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States