Theory-Driven Dissemination and Implementation Research: From Case Study to Mixed-Methods Evaluation of a National Roll-Out

Despite the proven efficacy of specific psychotherapies for certain mental health disorders, there is modest adoption of these practices in real-world clinical practice. Little is known about the processes by which psychotherapy treatments are evaluated, adopted and practiced by community-based clinicians. Results of three dissemination and implementation research investigations will be presented: an in-depth comparative case study of an empirically-supported, but controversial, psychotherapy in two treatment settings; a survey of over 2,000 front-line North American psychotherapists regarding influences on current practice, adoption and sustained use of new therapies; and a mixed-methods study currently underway evaluating national roll-outs of evidence-based treatments for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in residential treatment programs. Implications for moving from efficacy trial to effective application in the community on a sustained basis will be discussed.

Joan Cook, PhD is an assistant professor at the Yale School of Medicine and a researcher at the National Center for PTSD. She has numerous publications in the traumatic stress and geriatric mental health fields, including scientific papers on the phenomenology, assessment and treatment of older adult trauma survivors. Her research and clinical interests have recently expanded to include dissemination and implementation of effective mental health  services in the community. Dr. Cook is currently the principal investigator of two NIMH grants: one a career development award examining psychotherapy dissemination to front-line clinicians, and the other a RC1 funded as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to evaluate the national implementation of two evidence-based psychotherapies for PTSD in VA residential treatment settings.