Pilot Evaluation of a Tablet-Based Application to Improve Quality of Care in Child Mental Health Treatment.

Pilot Evaluation of a Tablet-Based Application to Improve Quality of Care in Child Mental Health Treatment.
Behav Ther. 2019 Mar;50(2):367-379
Authors: Davidson TM, Bunnell BE, Saunders BE, Hanson RF, Danielson CK, Cook D, Chu BC, Dorsey S, Adams ZW, Andrews AR, Walker JH, Soltis KE, Cohen JA, Deblinger E, Ruggiero KJ
Abstract
Mental health systems need scalable solutions that can reduce the efficacy-effectiveness gap and improve mental health outcomes in community mental health service settings. Two major challenges to delivery of high-quality care are providers' fidelity to evidence-based treatment models and children's and caregivers' engagement in the treatment process. We developed a novel, tablet-based application designed to enhance via technology the quality of delivery of trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT). We piloted its use in four community mental health service organizations using a blocked randomized controlled trial to examine the feasibility of implementing tablet-facilitated TF-CBT versus standard TF-CBT with 13 providers and 27 families. Provider fidelity and child engagement in treatment were observationally measured via session audio recording. Parent and child perceptions of the tablet application were assessed using structured interviews and mixed-method analyses. Providers actively and appropriately used tablet TF-CBT to facilitate treatment activities. Providers and families expressed high sa...

Source: Behavior Therapy - February 28, 2019 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Davidson TM, Bunnell BE, Saunders BE, Hanson RF, Danielson CK, Cook D, Chu BC, Dorsey S, Adams ZW, Andrews AR, Walker JH, Soltis KE, Cohen JA, Deblinger E, Ruggiero KJ Tags: Behav Ther Source Type: research