Consultation as an implementation strategy for evidence-based practices across multiple contexts: unpacking the black...

Area of Science:

• Child and Adolescent Mental Health
• Implementation Science
• Evidence-Based Practices

Background:

• Dissemination and implementation of evidence-based treatments (EBTs) for children are critical in schools and community mental health.
• One-time workshops are insufficient for changing therapist behavior or improving patient outcomes.
• Ongoing expert consultation and coaching are recognized as vital for successful uptake and quality implementation of EBTs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the existing literature on consultation within child mental health.
• To propose core functions, processes, and outcomes for consultation in EBT implementation.
• To identify areas for future research on effective consultation strategies.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of consultation in child mental health.
• Synthesis of current understanding of implementation support systems.
• Proposal of a framework for studying consultation.

Main Results:

• Limited understanding exists regarding the role of expert consultation in the broader implementation support system.
• Effective consultation strategies for EBTs in child mental health require further investigation.
• A framework for consultation functions, processes, and outcomes is proposed for future study.

Conclusions:

• Expert consultation is a key component of successful EBT implementation for children.
• Further research is needed to define and optimize consultation strategies.
• Understanding consultation's role is essential for improving child mental health services.