Implementing a Web-Based Intervention to Train Community Clinicians in an Evidence-Based Psychotherapy: A Pilot Study.
OBJECTIVE
The authors conducted a feasibility assessment of online training plus an online learning collaborative to support implementation of an evidence-based psychosocial treatment in a community mental health system.


METHODS
Two mental health centers were randomly allocated to in-person training with local supervision, and three were assigned to online training plus an online learning collaborative supported by expert clinicians. Participants (N=36) were clinicians interested in interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT), an evidence-based psychotherapy for bipolar disorder. After training, 136 patients reported monthly on the extent to which clinicians used 19 IPSRT techniques.


RESULTS
Clinicians from both training groups increased use of IPSRT techniques. Patients of clinicians receiving Internet-supported e-learning and of those receiving in-person training reported comparable clinician use of IPSRT techniques.


CONCLUSIONS
Internet-supported e-learning by community clinicians was found to be feasible and led to uptake of an evidence-based psychotherapy comparable to that by clinicians who received face-to-face training.
Dr. Stein, Ms. Celedonia, Mr. Sorbero, Ms. Burns are with the RAND Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Dr. Dick is with the RAND Corporation, Boston (e-mail: stein@rand.org ). Dr. Stein is also with the Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where Dr. Swartz and Dr. Frank are affiliated. Dr. DeRosier is with 3-C Institute for Social Development, Cary, North Carolina. Ms. Brindley is with NHS Human Services, Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania.
Bradley D
BD
Stein
Dr. Stein, Ms. Celedonia, Mr. Sorbero, Ms. Burns are with the RAND Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Dr. Dick is with the RAND Corporation, Boston (e-mail: stein@rand.org ). Dr. Stein is also with the Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where Dr. Swartz and Dr. Frank are affiliated. Dr. DeRosier is with 3-C Institute for Social Development, Cary, North Carolina. Ms. Brindley is with NHS Human Services, Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania.
Karen L
KL
Celedonia
Dr. Stein, Ms. Celedonia, Mr. Sorbero, Ms. Burns are with the RAND Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Dr. Dick is with the RAND Corporation, Boston (e-mail: stein@rand.org ). Dr. Stein is also with the Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where Dr. Swartz and Dr. Frank are affiliated. Dr. DeRosier is with 3-C Institute for Social Development, Cary, North Carolina. Ms. Brindley is with NHS Human Services, Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania.
Holly A
HA
Swartz
Dr. Stein, Ms. Celedonia, Mr. Sorbero, Ms. Burns are with the RAND Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Dr. Dick is with the RAND Corporation, Boston (e-mail: stein@rand.org ). Dr. Stein is also with the Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where Dr. Swartz and Dr. Frank are affiliated. Dr. DeRosier is with 3-C Institute for Social Development, Cary, North Carolina. Ms. Brindley is with NHS Human Services, Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania.
Melissa E
ME
DeRosier
Dr. Stein, Ms. Celedonia, Mr. Sorbero, Ms. Burns are with the RAND Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Dr. Dick is with the RAND Corporation, Boston (e-mail: stein@rand.org ). Dr. Stein is also with the Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where Dr. Swartz and Dr. Frank are affiliated. Dr. DeRosier is with 3-C Institute for Social Development, Cary, North Carolina. Ms. Brindley is with NHS Human Services, Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania.
Mark J
MJ
Sorbero
Dr. Stein, Ms. Celedonia, Mr. Sorbero, Ms. Burns are with the RAND Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Dr. Dick is with the RAND Corporation, Boston (e-mail: stein@rand.org ). Dr. Stein is also with the Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where Dr. Swartz and Dr. Frank are affiliated. Dr. DeRosier is with 3-C Institute for Social Development, Cary, North Carolina. Ms. Brindley is with NHS Human Services, Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania.
Rayni A
RA
Brindley
Dr. Stein, Ms. Celedonia, Mr. Sorbero, Ms. Burns are with the RAND Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Dr. Dick is with the RAND Corporation, Boston (e-mail: stein@rand.org ). Dr. Stein is also with the Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where Dr. Swartz and Dr. Frank are affiliated. Dr. DeRosier is with 3-C Institute for Social Development, Cary, North Carolina. Ms. Brindley is with NHS Human Services, Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania.
Rachel M
RM
Burns
Dr. Stein, Ms. Celedonia, Mr. Sorbero, Ms. Burns are with the RAND Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Dr. Dick is with the RAND Corporation, Boston (e-mail: stein@rand.org ). Dr. Stein is also with the Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where Dr. Swartz and Dr. Frank are affiliated. Dr. DeRosier is with 3-C Institute for Social Development, Cary, North Carolina. Ms. Brindley is with NHS Human Services, Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania.
Andrew W
AW
Dick
Dr. Stein, Ms. Celedonia, Mr. Sorbero, Ms. Burns are with the RAND Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Dr. Dick is with the RAND Corporation, Boston (e-mail: stein@rand.org ). Dr. Stein is also with the Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where Dr. Swartz and Dr. Frank are affiliated. Dr. DeRosier is with 3-C Institute for Social Development, Cary, North Carolina. Ms. Brindley is with NHS Human Services, Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania.
Ellen
E
Frank
D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000379:methods*; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000379:methods; D020407:Internet; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods