Clinic-Level Predictors of Psychotherapy Dosage in the Military Health System

This study aimed to describe the demand for, supply of, and clinic processes associated with behavioral health care delivery in the Military Health System and to examine the clinic-level factors associated with receipt of a minimally adequate dosage of psychotherapy.

This retrospective study used administrative behavioral health data from eight military treatment facilities (N=25,433 patients; N=241,028 encounters) that were participating in a larger implementation study of evidence-based psychotherapy for posttraumatic stress disorder. Minimally adequate dosage of psychotherapy was defined in two ways: at least three sessions within a 90-day period and at least six sessions within a 90-day period. The authors then used a path model to examine clinic-level factors hypothesized to predict psychotherapy dosage, including care demand, supply, and processes.

Patients had an average of 2.5 psychotherapy appointments per quarter. Wait times for intake, between intake and the first psychotherapy session, and between follow-up sessions all averaged 17 days or longer. Path modeling showed that a higher patient-to-encounter ratio was associated with a longer wait time between follow-up psychotherapy appointments. In turn, a longer wait time between appointments was associated with a lower probability of receiving an adequate dosage of psychotherapy. However, a greater proportion of care delivered in groups was associated with a greater probability of receiving at least six sessions of psychotherapy.

Receipt of a minimally adequate dosage of psychotherapy in the Military Health System is hindered by clinic staffing and workflows that increase wait times between follow-up psychotherapy appointments.