Consultation and professional development within the prolonged exposure initiative

Area of Science:

• Mental Health Services Research
• Implementation Science
• Psychology

Background:

• Sustaining evidence-based practices (EBPs) in community mental health relies on organizational support and ongoing consultation.
• Clinician-level factors influencing EBP implementation are not fully understood.
• Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy is an EBP for posttraumatic stress disorder.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess clinician-reported professional development incentives for participating in consultation for PE therapy.
• To guide future EBP implementation initiatives by understanding clinician motivations and needs.
• To explore the impact of organizational support on clinician goals and turnover.

Main Methods:

• A survey was administered to 22 providers participating in a PE therapy initiative.
• The survey assessed motivations for participation, impact of consultation on PE implementation and professional goals.
• It also examined organizational support's effect on goals and clinician turnover.

Main Results:

• Providers joined the initiative to learn EBPs and enhance PTSD treatment skills.
• Ongoing consultation was perceived as helpful, providing necessary feedback and support for professional goals.
• Clinician turnover was largely attributed to organizational factors, not the initiative itself.

Conclusions:

• Ongoing consultation facilitates clinician professional development and engagement in EBPs.
• Further research should explore how consultation can reduce clinician turnover.
• Empowering providers with additional responsibilities may enhance EBP engagement.