Abstract
BackgroundThe behavioral health service provider population is highly heterogeneous. However, it is rarely treated as such within evidence-based practice implementation efforts. This study aimed to evaluate, as a proof of concept, the utility of latent profile analysis to identify distinct profiles of clinician practices in a large sample of youth-serving community mental health clinicians. This study also aimed to identify predictors of profile membership to inform implementation efforts.MethodsParticipants were 484 practicing clinicians (79.4% female, 45.7% White, M age = 37.1 years). As part of a larger survey, clinicians reported on their use of cognitive, behavioral, family, and psychodynamic treatment techniques with a representative client on their caseload. Latent profile analysis was used to determine the presence of clinician practice profiles. Multilevel multinomial logistic regressions examined predictors of profile membership.ResultsLatent profile analysis indicated a 4-profile solution best fit the data, with clinicians who: 1) used generally low levels of all examined techniques and preferred cognitive techniques (Low Eclectics, 16%), 2) delivered moderate levels of all techniques (Moderate Eclectics, 53%), 3) demonstrated preference for use of family techniques (Family Preferred, 11%), and 4) used high levels of all techniques (Super Users, 20%). Clinician discipline (e.g., social work), education, and years of experience predicted profile membership.ConclusionsFindings from this proof of concept study underscore the utility of latent profile analysis to characterize the complex and heterogeneous makeup of community mental health. Results extend prior work highlighting the eclectic nature of community mental health practice. Predictor analyses underscore the important influence of clinician background characteristics on practice use.
Highlights
The behavioral health service provider population is highly heterogeneous
We examined predictors of profile membership via two-level multinomial logistic regression to account for the nested data structure, controlling for client characteristics at level one identified as associated with clinician practice use [31]
Clinician discipline was varied: 57 (11.8%) were social workers, 39 (8.1%) were marriage and family therapists (MFTs), 21 (4.3%) were psychologists; the remainder represented “other master’s level” providers; in this sample, this is comprised of primarily clinicians with backgrounds in mental health counseling
Summary
The behavioral health service provider population is highly heterogeneous. It is rarely treated as such within evidence-based practice implementation efforts. Recent efforts to increase the quality of care in community settings have focused on disseminating and implementing evidence-based practices (EBPs; [3]). Evaluating the successes of these efforts by characterizing how clinicians use EBPs within community care has proved challenging [4,5,6]. Multiple studies conducted across the United States suggest that clinicians use techniques from different theoretical treatment models (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy [CBT], family therapy, psychodynamic therapy) that have varying levels of empirical support for their efficacy in an eclectic fashion [7], and treatment often fails to lead to meaningful symptom reduction [8, 9]. Examination of practice profiles that can better characterize the range of techniques clinicians employ across theoretical treatment models, rather than examining the extent to which
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
