Policy to implementation: evidence-based practice in community mental health--study protocol.

Area of Science:

• Implementation Science
• Public Mental Health
• Healthcare Policy

Background:

• Evidence-based treatments (EBTs) are underutilized in community mental health settings.
• Policy mandates are increasingly used to drive EBT implementation in the US.
• Research on the impact of these policies on EBT adoption is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how staff in community mental health clinics respond to a policy incentivizing EBT implementation for youth mental health.
• To examine organizational and leader-level factors influencing EBT adoption.
• To inform future policy and support structures for successful EBT implementation.

Main Methods:

• Prospective, sequential mixed-methods design with data collection at baseline, 2, and 4 years post-policy.
• Quantitative data from 30 clinics (executive/clinical directors, 240 therapists) on implementation, fidelity, organizational/leader variables, and attitudes/knowledge of EBTs.
• Qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with a subset of agencies to explore implementation experiences.

Main Results:

• (Study is prospective; results will be available upon completion.)
• Analysis will compare quantitative and qualitative data to understand implementation drivers and barriers.
• Findings will identify factors associated with successful EBT implementation.

Conclusions:

• Study findings will inform future policy mandates for EBT implementation.
• Results will guide the necessary support structures for policy success.
• The ultimate goal is to enhance the quality of public sector youth mental healthcare.