title: Dissemination of behavioural activation for depression to mental health nurses: training evaluation and benchmarked clinical outcomes.
abstract: Depression causes significant distress, disability and cost within the UK. Behavioural activation (BA) is an effective single-strand psychological approach which may lend itself to brief training programmes for a wide range of clinical staff. No previous research has directly examined outcomes of such dissemination. A 5-day training course for 10 primary care mental health workers aiming to increase knowledge and clinical skills in BA was evaluated using the Training Acceptability Rating Scale. Depression symptom level data collected in a randomized controlled trial using trainees were then compared to results from meta-analysis of studies using experienced therapists. BA training was highly acceptable to trainees (94.4%, SD 6%). The combined effect size of BA was unchanged by the addition of the results of this evaluation to those of studies using specialist therapists. BA offers a promising psychological intervention for depression that appears suitable for delivery by mental health nurses following brief training.
authors.affiliation: Talking Changes Durham and Darlington IAPT, Durham University, Durham, UK. david.ekers@tewv.nhs.uk
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Ekers
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Dawson
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bailey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic