Managing and Adapting Practice: Provider Perceptions of an Evidence-Informed Framework for Delivering Mental Health...

Area of Science:

• Youth mental health
• Evidence-based practice implementation
• Clinical decision-making frameworks

Background:

• Managing and Adapting Practice (MAP) is an evidence-informed framework guiding clinical decision-making.
• Effective implementation and sustainment of such frameworks are crucial in youth mental health services.
• Understanding provider perspectives is key to optimizing framework utilization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine how youth mental health providers reflect on delivering, managing, and adapting the MAP framework.
• To identify diverse provider approaches to utilizing the MAP framework in practice.
• To understand the role of reflective practice in provider adoption of evidence-informed frameworks.

Main Methods:

• Consensual qualitative research methods were employed.
• The reflections of 201 youth mental health providers were analyzed.
• Data analysis focused on understanding provider decision-making and adaptation strategies.

Main Results:

• Providers' approaches to MAP varied based on personal preferences and specific case characteristics.
• Most providers initially focused on practice management aspects of MAP.
• Challenging cases prompted the use of coordination and outcomes management components of the framework.
• Reflective practice led most providers to appreciate the comprehensive nature of the MAP framework.

Conclusions:

• Provider adaptation of evidence-informed frameworks is common and influenced by individual and contextual factors.
• Diverse approaches to framework implementation highlight the need for flexible strategies.
• Reflective practice is a vital component for enhancing the understanding and application of evidence-informed frameworks like MAP.
• Findings offer insights for improving the implementation and sustainment of evidence-based practices in youth mental health settings.