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Mental Health Clinicians’ Participation in Web-Based Training for an Evidence Supported Intervention: Signs of Encouragement and Trouble Ahead

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Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Comprehensive scalable clinician training is needed to increase the impact of evidence-supported psychotherapies. This study was designed to ascertain clinician participation in different low-cost training activities, what predicts their training participation, and how participation can be increased. The study enrolled 163 clinicians. Of these, 105 completed a follow-up survey and 20 completed a more in-depth qualitative interview. Some activities (web training) attracted greater participation than others (e.g., discussion boards, role playing). Key findings include the desirability of self-paced learning and the flexibility it afforded practicing clinicians. However, some found the lack of accountability insurmountable. Many desired in-person training as a way to introduce accountability and motivation. While low-cost, relevant, self-paced learning appeals to practicing clinicians, it may need to be combined with opportunities for in-person training and accountability mechanisms in order to encourage large numbers of clinicians to complete training.

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Acknowledgments

The study was funded by the Missouri Foundation for Health, the Center for Mental Health Services Research (P30 MH068579) and the Washington University Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences (NIH/NCRR U54 RR024992).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Social Service Administration, University of Chicago, 969 E. 60th, Chicago, IL, 60660, USA

    J. Curtis McMillen

  2. Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, 210 McAlester Hall, Columbia, MO, 65211-2500, USA

    Kristin M. Hawley

  3. George Warren Brown School of Social Work, Washington University in St. Louis, 1 Brookings Drive, Box 1196, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA

    Enola K. Proctor

Authors
  1. J. Curtis McMillen
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  2. Kristin M. Hawley
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  3. Enola K. Proctor
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Correspondence to J. Curtis McMillen.

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McMillen, J.C., Hawley, K.M. & Proctor, E.K. Mental Health Clinicians’ Participation in Web-Based Training for an Evidence Supported Intervention: Signs of Encouragement and Trouble Ahead. Adm Policy Ment Health 43, 592–603 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-015-0645-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-015-0645-x

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