Organisational implementation climate in implementing internet-based cognitive behaviour therapy for depression

Area of Science:

• Mental Health Services Research
• Digital Health Implementation
• Organizational Psychology

Background:

• Internet-based Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (iCBT) for depression is increasingly integrated into European routine care.
• Implementation success varies, highlighting the need to understand organizational factors.
• This study focuses on organizational implementation climate from the perspective of those involved in delivering iCBT.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the concept of organizational implementation climate for optimizing iCBT use in mental health services.
• To identify key characteristics and tools that foster a supportive climate for iCBT implementation.
• To assess the relationship between implementation climate and service provider satisfaction and usability of iCBT.

Main Methods:

• Combined qualitative (concept mapping workshop with implementers) and quantitative (cross-sectional survey of service deliverers) approaches.
• Qualitative phase identified key climate characteristics and tools.
• Quantitative phase assessed service provider perceptions of climate, satisfaction, and usability.

Main Results:

• Supportive climate characteristics include clear implementer roles, feasible targets, and dedicated teams.
• Effective tools for climate support involve performance feedback, progress monitoring, and impact assessment guidelines.
• Service providers generally perceived a supportive climate, with moderate associations between climate and satisfaction, and weak associations with usability.

Conclusions:

• Organizational implementation climate significantly impacts iCBT implementation in routine mental health care.
• This climate is not static and can be actively shaped to enhance iCBT service delivery.
• Further theoretical development and empirical validation of measurement tools for organizational implementation climate are recommended.