Building capacity to provide innovative interventions for early psychosis in mental health professionals

S Poli,M Ruggeri,E Miglietta,F Albasini,L Bislenghi,K De Santi,A Alpi,C Bonetto,S Fascendini,S Petterlini,D Cristofalo,G Patelli,A Meneghelli,T Bolis

doi:10.1017/s1754470x20000355

Abstract

Abstract Despite international guidelines, cognitive behavioural therapy for early psychosis (CBTep) is still under-used in daily clinical practice, mainly due to the lack of specific skills among mental health professionals. The aim of the study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of a CBTep training course and to investigate the impact of trainees’ variables on the level of skills acquisition. An intensive and graded CBTep training programme consisting of 112 hours of plenary lectures, 30 hours of group supervision and 3 months of practical training was offered to mental health professionals of 65 Italian community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs). CBT expert psychologists were used as the comparison group. Participants underwent pre-planned exams to test the level of skills acquisition and were requested to complete a satisfaction survey. The vast majority of participants (93%) completed the training with medium–high evaluation scores and reported to be highly satisfied with the course. CMHCs staff members achieved high scores in the examinations and no major differences between them and CBT expert psychologists were found in most of the final exam scores. Our results support the feasibility and the efficacy of the training to build specific CBTep capacity in a large cohort of professionals working in Italian Generalist Mental Health Services. Key learning aims (1) To understand the capacity building of a short training programme in CBT for early psychosis dedicated to community mental health professionals. (2) To consider the optimal characteristics of a CBT training programme for early psychosis. (3) To reflect on the feasibility of a CBT training programme for early psychosis in the context of Italian Community Mental Health Services.

Highlights

In the last two decades, many studies have proved the benefit and effectiveness of a multi-element psychosocial approach provided for severe psychiatric disorders like psychosis, especially in the early phases of the illness
The aims of the present study were: (i) to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of a training programme developed in order to build specific expertise on CBT for early psychosis for staff working in community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs), and (ii) to investigate the possible association between the characteristics of the professionals and the competence acquisition
The CBT experts were all psychologists, on average younger [mean age: 33.21 years (SD = 3.43) vs 43.53 years (SD = 7.69), respectively; p < .001] and with less working experience in mental health clinical setting compared with CMHC professionals (mean years of work: 2.32 (SD = 2.67) vs 11.78 (SD = 7.52), respectively; p < .001)

Summary

Introduction

In the last two decades, many studies have proved the benefit and effectiveness of a multi-element psychosocial approach provided for severe psychiatric disorders like psychosis, especially in the early phases of the illness Cognitive behavioalur therapy for early psychosis (CBTep) is indicated as a first-line psychological treatment for patients at the onset of psychosis (NICE, 2003, 2009, 2014). Providing mental health staff with advanced and specific skills on assessment and therapeutic techniques should be guaranteed for the effectiveness of the intervention (Fowler et al, 1995; Rollinson et al, 2008; Ruggeri et al, 2008)

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion