title: Investigating the validity and usability of an interactive computer programme for assessing competence in telephone-based mental health triage.
abstract: Telephone-based mental health triage services are frontline health-care providers that operate 24/7 to facilitate access to psychiatric assessment and intervention for people requiring assistance with a mental health problem. The mental health triage clinical role is complex, and the populations triage serves are typically high risk; yet to date, no evidence-based methods have been available to assess clinician competence to practice telephone-based mental health triage. The present study reports the findings of a study that investigated the validity and usability of the Mental Health Triage Competency Assessment Tool, an evidence-based, interactive computer programme designed to assist clinicians in developing and assessing competence to practice telephone-based mental health triage.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Deakin University, Geelong.
authors.forename: Natisha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sands
authors.affiliation: Centre for Psychiatric Nursing, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Elsom
authors.affiliation: Alfred Psychiatry, Alfred Health.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Keppich-Arnold
authors.affiliation: Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team, Alfred Health, Melbourne.
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Henderson
authors.affiliation: Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team, Alfred Health, Melbourne.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: King
authors.affiliation: Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bourke-Finn
authors.affiliation: Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia.
authors.forename: Debra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brunning
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000592:standards; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012984:Software; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000592:standards*; D013689:Telephone; D014218:Triage / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*
keywords: competency; mental health; telephone triage; triage