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

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Depression
• Interventions: Behavioral: Equip-based Problem Management Plus training; Behavioral: Standard Problem Management Plus training (training as usual)

• 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

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Equip-based training	Equip-based Problem Management Plus training	Training that uses the Equip platform to assess competencies and incorporate this information into trainers and supervisors activities.
Training as usual	Standard Problem Management Plus training (training as usual)	Standard Problem Management Plus training.

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
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
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

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Transcultural Psychosocial Organization Nepal; 🇳🇵 Kathmandu, Nepal