Evaluating the benefits of a live, simulation-based telebehavioral health training for a deploying army reserve unit

Telebehavioral health (TBH) has previously been reported as underutilized in the Afghan Theater of Operations despite efforts to expand the number of operational TBH sites. A lack of training on TBH services and equipment was identified as a probable cause. The National Center for Telehealth and Technology (T2) provided members of the 1972nd Medical Detachment (Combat Stress Control [CSC]) U.S. Army Reserve with an in-person TBH training designed to provide the unit with hands-on knowledge and skills to deliver TBH services in theater. A key training component consisted of placing unit members in live, simulated clinical and technical scenarios they were likely to encounter while deployed. Evaluations suggest that the training was successful at preparing the 1972nd CSC for its TBH mission. During its deployment, the 1972nd CSC led an approximate 40% expansion of TBH services, including the direct provision of around 700 clinical encounters. Several best practice recommendations were identified including: (1) maintain the hands-on component, (2) use lessons learned to develop scenarios, (3) incorporate training into daily activities, and (4) tailor training while ensuring that all stakeholders have the same base knowledge set. To our knowledge, this is the most comprehensive process improvement evaluation of a predeployment telehealth training available.