141st APHA Annual Meeting

In This section

281423
Lessons learned in administering the "decide" efficacy-effectiveness trial in community mental health settings

Tuesday, November 5, 2013 : 10:30 AM - 10:50 AM

Nicholas Carson, MD , Center for Multicultural Mental Health Research, Cambridge Health Alliance/Harvard Medical School, Somerville, MA
Multi-site mental health services trials are needed to test the efficacy and effectiveness of interventions among culturally diverse populations. However, the administration of such studies in community mental health clinics may encounter barriers that are specific to these settings. We discuss how specific scientific and operational concerns were addressed in the DECIDE study, a hybrid efficacy-effectiveness trial of a patient activation intervention for predominantly low-income adults in mental health treatment. Using the PRECIS framework for describing clinical trials, we describe lessons learned to improve effectiveness research in community mental health settings. Observations are drawn from the experience of the authors in conducting the study, supplemented by observations from weekly conference calls with study care managers and local site investigators. Domains that will be addressed include determination of eligibility criteria (including cultural considerations), expectations for practitioner expertise when delivering the intervention, selection of comparison interventions by appreciating the local context, determining follow-up intensity and primary trial outcomes in the context of low clinic resources, measuring practitioner adherence to the study protocol, planning analysis of primary outcomes, and maintaining effective teamwork. We summarize practical approaches to administration of a project that aimed to balance the rigor of an efficacy study with the real-world accommodations of an effectiveness study. Inevitable scientific and operational challenges were addressed to enable collaborative research relationships with community sites and to improve the evidence base for mental health treatment among racial/ethnic minorities.

Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Diversity and culture
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs

Learning Objectives:
Identify common barriers to the administration of multi-site mental health service research trials in community mental health settings. Discuss potential solutions to the barriers identified in the administration of such research trials. Describe how patient activation research must be adapted to the needs of culturally diverse individuals in community mental health settings.

Keywords: Latino Mental Health, Self-Management

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been a co-investigator on federally funded grants focusing on the development and administration of interventions to reduce disparities in mental health service use. Among my scientific interests has been the development of patient activation and self-management interventions for culturally diverse individuals in community mental health treatment.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.