Implementation outcomes of military provider training in cognitive processing therapy and prolonged exposure therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder

• Published in: Military medicine Vol. 178; no. 9; pp. 939 - 944
• Main Authors: Borah, Elisa V, Wright, Edward C, Donahue, D Allen, Cedillos, Elizabeth M, Riggs, David S, Isler, William C, Peterson, Alan L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Oxford University Press 01-09-2013
• Subjects: Adult; Armed forces; Attitude of Health Personnel; Clinical outcomes; Cognitive Therapy - education; Confidence; Confidentiality; Evidence-Based Medicine; Evidence-based practice; Humans; Implosive Therapy - education; Mental health; Middle Aged; Military Personnel; Outcome Assessment (Health Care); Patients; Polls & surveys; Post traumatic stress disorder; Program Evaluation; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - therapy; Supervision; United States; Workshops; United States; United States > US
• ISSN: 0026-4075; 1930-613X
• DOI: 10.7205/MILMED-D-13-00072

Between 2006 and 2012, the Department of Defense trained thousands of military mental health providers in the use of evidence-based treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder. Most providers were trained in multiday workshops that focused on the use of Cognitive Processing Therapy and Prolonged Exposure. This study is a follow-up evaluation of the implementation practices of 103 Air Force mental health providers. A survey was administered online to workshop participants; 34.2% of participants responded. Findings on treatment implementation with the providers indicated that a majority of respondents found the trainings valuable and were interested in using the treatments, yet they reported a lack of time in their clinic appointment structure to support their use. Insufficient supervision was also cited as a barrier to treatment use. Results suggest the need to improve strategies for implementing evidence-based practices with providers to enhance clinical outcomes in military settings.