Competences required for the delivery of high and low-intensity cognitive behavioural interventions for chronic fatigue, chronic fatigue syndrome/ME and irritable bowel syndrome.
BACKGROUND
Cognitive behavioural interventions are effective in the treatment of chronic fatigue, chronic fatigue syndrome (sometimes known as ME or CFS/ME) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Such interventions are increasingly being provided not only in specialist settings but in primary care settings such as Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services. There are no existing competences for the delivery of "low-intensity" or "high-intensity" cognitive behavioural interventions for these conditions.


OBJECTIVE
To develop "high-intensity" and "low-intensity" competences for cognitive behavioural interventions for chronic fatigue, CFS/ME and IBS.


METHODS
The initial draft drew on a variety of sources including treatment manuals and other information from randomized controlled trials. Therapists with experience in providing cognitive behavioural interventions for CF, CFS/ME and IBS in research and clinical settings were consulted on the initial draft competences and their suggestions for minor amendments were incorporated into the final versions.


RESULTS
Feedback from experienced therapists was positive. Therapists providing low intensity interventions reported that the competences were also helpful in highlighting training needs.


CONCLUSIONS
These sets of competences should facilitate the training and supervision of therapists providing cognitive behavioural interventions for chronic fatigue, CFS/ME and IBS. The competences are available online (see table of contents for this issue: http://journals.cambridge.org/jid_BCP) or on request from the first author.
King's College London,Institute of Psychiatry,UK.
Katharine A
KA
Rimes
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Hospital Trust,London,UK.
Janet
J
Wingrove
King's College London,Institute of Psychiatry,UK.
Rona
R
Moss-Morris
King's College London,Institute of Psychiatry,UK.
Trudie
T
Chalder
D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D002983:Clinical Competence; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D004739:England; D005221:Fatigue / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008370:Manuals as Topic; D008611:Mentors; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*