Competency-based Training in Problem Management Plus: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Depression

• Registration Number: NCT04954872
• Lead Sponsor: George Washington University

Brief Summary

The proposed study in Nepal will evaluate if non-specialists participating in Equip-based Problem Management Plus training show greater competencies compared to non-specialists participating in standard Problem Management Plus training. The proposed study is a randomized controlled trial with mixed-methods components evaluating both quantitative outcomes and qualitative outcomes among non-specialists participating in the training and their trainers.

Detailed Description

There is increasing recognition of the high burden of psychological distress among populations around the world. Increasingly, non-specialists (persons who do not have expertise in formal mental health training) are being used to deliver psychological services. There is a long history of successful implementation of psychological services by non-specialists in Nepal. Recently, a cluster randomized controlled trial of Problem Management Plus showed modest benefit over enhanced care as usual in southeastern Nepal. A recent initiative by the World Health Organization is being rolled out to improve the competencies of non-specialists participating in Problem Management Plus and similar trainings. This initiative is Ensuring Quality in Psychological Services (Equip). The proposed study in Nepal will evaluate if non-specialists participating in Equip-based Problem Management Plus training show greater competencies compared to non-specialists participating in standard Problem Management Plus training. The proposed study is a randomized controlled trial with mixed-methods components evaluating both quantitative outcomes and qualitative outcomes among non-specialists participating in the training and their trainers.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2021-06-01
• Study First Submitted: 2021-06-29
• Study First Submitted QC: 2021-06-29
• Study First Posted: 2021-07-08
• Primary Completion: 2021-12-31
• Study Completion: 2021-12-31
• Status Verified: 2022-09
• Last Update Submitted: 2022-09-27
• Last Update Posted: 2022-09-29

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 99

Inclusion Criteria

• No prior mental health professional training
• Literate in Nepali

Exclusion Criteria

• Any prior mental health professional training

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Enhancing Assessment of Common Therapeutic Factors (unabbreviated title: Enhancing Assessment of Common Therapeutic Factors)	Immediately after Problem Management Plus training (10-days post-baseline)	15-item tool with 4 response levels, range is 15 to 60, with higher scores equating to more competency

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Enhancing Assessment of Common Therapeutic Factors (unabbreviated title: Enhancing Assessment of Common Therapeutic Factors)	After Problem Management Plus supervision (approximately 45-days post-baseline)	15-item tool with 4 response levels, range is 15 to 60, with higher scores equating to more competency
Problem Management Plus Competency Assessment (unabbreviated title: Problem Management Plus Competency Assessment)	After Problem Management Plus supervision (approximately 45-days post-baseline)	12-item tool with 4 response levels, range is 12 to 48, with higher scores equating to more competency
Group Facilitation Competency Assessment (unabbreviated title: Group Facilitation Competency Assessment)	After Problem Management Plus supervision (approximately 45-days post-baseline)	8-item tool with 4 response levels, range is 8 to 32, with higher scores equating to more competency

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Transcultural Psychosocial Organization Nepal; 🇳🇵 Kathmandu, Nepal