The BE-ACTIV Project: How Research, Professional Training, Education, and Practice Were Integrated in a Single...

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Mental Health
• Clinical Psychology
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Depression is prevalent in nursing home residents, necessitating effective, accessible treatments.
• Integrating research, practice, and education is crucial for advancing mental healthcare in geriatric settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the integration of research, practice, and education within a National Institutes of Mental Health-funded clinical trial for treating depression in nursing homes.
• To evaluate the impact of student involvement on developing clinical competencies and disseminating interventions.

Main Methods:

• Involved undergraduate and doctoral students in a clinical trial for depression treatment in nursing homes.
• Utilized the clinical trial as a teaching laboratory for skill development and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Main Results:

• Student involvement fostered key competencies, including observing patient culture, adapting clinical skills, and collaborating in multidisciplinary teams.
• The trial served as a conduit for disseminating evidence-based depression treatments to non-research settings via student trainees.

Conclusions:

• Involving trainees in clinical trial research enhances the healthcare workforce's capacity for evidence-based practice and practice-informed research.
• This integrated model effectively bridges the gap between scientific discovery and practical application in geriatric mental health settings.