Evidence-based treatments (EBTs) are a fusion of clinical expertise, patient values and the best research evidence that supports mental healthcare. These treatments have been tested and validated to prove their efficacy in addressing various mental health conditions. This makes them the cornerstone of high-quality mental healthcare. Their implementation can also improve patient outcomes without compromising credibility in the mental health field.
Understanding EBTs and their benefits can help you successfully implement these treatments in your mental healthcare practice. This is useful if you are a mental health professional seeking to update your practice or an administrator who wants to understand EBTs.
If you are a mental health professional, you can also upgrade your professional value through the Mental Health Counseling Master’s Online program offered by St. Bonaventure University. As the mental health field continues to grow, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, this is a great time to enhance your leadership and counseling skills. This program will not only help you become a better practitioner; it will help you apply effective health principles with more expertise.
Here is a closer look at the benefits of EBT, the current state of mental health in the U.S., and the steps involved in implementing the treatment in your mental health practice.
Understanding the benefits of evidence-based treatments
Evidence-based treatments (EBTs) in mental healthcare refer to scientifically tested interventions that can efficiently reduce symptoms of mental health disorders. These treatments are grounded in rigorous research and validated through controlled clinical studies. At the core of EBTs lie three fundamental components:
- Best research evidence: EBTs are based on the latest and most reliable scientific studies. They are often gathered from multiple, high-quality studies so they provide actionable insights into the topics.
- Clinical expertise: Applying EBTs requires skillful and experienced clinicians. This is because they must integrate the best research evidence with their professional knowledge and experience to achieve optimal results.
- Patient preferences: EBTs must align with the patient’s characteristics, culture and preferences. This helps ensure the treatment is practical and personalized to suit the patient.
The benefits of implementing evidence-based treatments in mental healthcare are numerous. Here are some of the key advantages.
Improved patient outcomes
EBTs have been proven to reduce symptoms and improve the quality of life for individuals with mental health disorders. This is the primary goal of mental healthcare, which means adopting EBTs is crucial.
Efficient use of resources
These interventions ensure that resources are not wasted on ineffective interventions. They provide a roadmap for clinicians to reduce uncertainty in their therapy sessions and overall treatment. This helps focus efforts where they will be most beneficial.
Increased trust and credibility
EBTs lend credibility to mental health professionals and the field in general. Patient trust, engagement and adherence to treatment can increase when they know the treatments are based on sound research. After all, research on the placebo effect shows that patients feel better when they believe a cure will be effective beyond what they know.
Current state of mental healthcare in the U.S.
Mental health issues are a significant concern in the U.S. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that mental health issues affect one in five U.S. adults, which makes it an important issue in public health. These illnesses range from mild to severe. Despite the prevalence of mental health disorders, however, a significant proportion of individuals do not receive the treatment they need.
The Association of American Medical Colleges states that there is an enormous demand for mental health professionals and a significant shortage both before and after the pandemic. This demonstrates the critical gap in the healthcare system that more experts and an evidence-based approach can address.
In addition to the low number of mental health practitioners, factors such as a lack of awareness among practitioners and systemic barriers like lack of funding or resources have reduced the adoption of EBTs. As a result, many individuals receive outdated care; sometimes, the chosen treatment is not the best approach for their specific condition. This is why EBTs are essential in contemporary mental healthcare.
Three main examples of evidence-based treatment approaches
EBT encompasses various approaches to address specific mental health conditions. Here are three widely recognized and extensively studied treatments.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT is a form of psychological treatment that has been proven effective for mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety and severe mental illness. CBT treatment usually involves changing thinking patterns and behavioral responses to challenging situations.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Originally developed to treat borderline personality disorder, DBT has been adapted for other mental health problems that threaten a person’s safety, relationships, work and emotional well-being. DBT combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness strategies to help individuals better manage their emotions and reduce conflict in relationships.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR is a unique, nontraditional type of psychotherapy designed to diminish the negative feelings associated with memories of traumatic events. Unlike most forms of talk therapy, EMDR focuses less on the traumatic event itself and more on the disturbing emotions and symptoms that result from the event.
Steps for implementing evidence-based treatments
Implementing EBTs entails a series of carefully planned and executed steps.
1. Identify appropriate evidence-based treatments
Implementing EBTs in a mental healthcare setting begins with identifying the most appropriate treatments for your practice. This helps ensure optimal outcomes as the EBTs must align with the specific patients’ needs.
Begin this process by researching their needs and most frequent mental health issues. This could be anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder. Also, consider demographic factors that may impact their treatment, such as age, cultural background or socioeconomic status. These factors can influence their responses to treatment, their ability to access and engage with treatment, and their treatment preferences.
Once you understand their needs, delve into the scientific literature on EBTs. There are numerous resources that provide information on different EBTs, their effectiveness and the populations they are best suited for.
For example, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices is a comprehensive database of EBTs with information on their efficacy for different populations and health conditions.
When reviewing this database — or any other you deem fit — look for effective treatments for the conditions and populations that are most relevant to your practice. You should also consider the practical aspects of implementing the treatment, such as the required resources and training.
In addition to reviewing the literature, you can consult experts to gain valuable insights and recommendations based on their experience and expertise. Engaging with these resources and experts can help you decide which treatments would be most beneficial for your practice.
2. Secure necessary resources
After choosing the treatments you wish to implement, the next task is to estimate the resources required for their successful implementation. This estimation should take into account several factors.
First, consider the training cost as the knowledge and skills needed to deliver the treatment effectively are essential for you and your team. The cost of training can include fees for training programs, materials and other needs.
Next, consider the potential infrastructure changes that may be needed to accommodate the treatment. Depending on the nature of the treatment, infrastructure changes could include modifications to physical spaces, such as therapy rooms, or investments in new technology or equipment.
Finally, consider the personnel resources required. Effective delivery of EBTs often requires a multidisciplinary team, so you may need to hire additional staff. This multidisciplinary team might include psychologists, social workers, nurses, occupational therapists and psychiatrists trained to deliver the chosen EBT. You may also need administrative support staff to manage the increased workload and ensure the efficient operation of the new treatment protocols.
Once you clearly understand the resources required, you can begin to secure them. You can seek funding through grants or partnerships if you need funding.
You can even consider reallocating your organization’s budget if the EBT is a priority; this will help you maximize the capability of EBTs. You should also plan schedules to ensure the new treatment does not disrupt care provision. It is important to remember that although the implementation of EBTs is essential, it should not compromise the ongoing care and support of current patients.
3. Train your staff
Proper staff training is a non-negotiable and crucial aspect of EBT implementation. The training should ensure that employees understand the theoretical foundations of the treatment because it helps them appreciate why the therapy works and how it improves patient health.
This can increase their motivation to deliver the treatment effectively and help them explain it to patients and their families. The training should also cover the evidence supporting the treatment’s use cases. This shows its credibility and potential impact and boosts their confidence in communicating its benefits to patients.
In addition to understanding the theory and evidence behind the treatment, they must also receive practical training on delivering it. This includes learning specific techniques, strategies or interventions that are part of the treatment. You can enhance practical training through role-playing exercises, case studies or supervised practice sessions.
An essential aspect of this step is ensuring the training is not a one-time event. Regular and consistent training sessions will help your team continuously develop their skills and stay updated on the latest research. This ensures that your health organization delivers the most current and effective treatments.
Adequate supervision is essential for providing staff members with effective feedback and guidance throughout the treatment life cycle. Consider partnering with academic institutions or training organizations that can provide expert-led training programs.
These organizations often have extensive experience in EBT training and can offer valuable resources and guidance to grow your team into a credible force in the industry.
4. Pilot the treatments
Conducting a pilot study allows you to test the therapy in a controlled setting before full-scale implementation. This controlled environment will enable you to identify any challenges or potential problems and make any needed adjustments before committing to a full-scale rollout.
Start the pilot phase by selecting a small group of patients who are suitable candidates for the treatment. These should be patients who are likely to benefit from the treatment based on their condition, demographics or other relevant factors.
While this selection process is crucial because it ensures the pilot study reflects the potential patient population for the EBT, they must consent to participating in the pilot phase. As you deliver the treatment to this pilot group, monitor its implementation closely.
You can ensure proper monitoring by gathering data on various aspects of the treatment delivery process, including how well it is being integrated into your existing practice routines, the ease or difficulty of delivering the treatment and the initial response of patients.
You should also track the impact of the treatment on patient outcomes. This can include symptom severity changes, functioning improvements or patient satisfaction with the treatment. These outcome measures can provide valuable insights into the efficiency of the treatment.
You can use the data to identify any challenges or barriers in the implementation process. These could be resource-related issues, training, staff attitudes and patient response. Once these challenges are identified, adjust your implementation plan to address the loopholes. This might involve modifying your training program, adjusting your resource allocation or revising your treatment delivery process.
5. Implement and monitor
With the insights gleaned from the pilot study, you’re ready to implement the EBT within your practice. Implementation is an active process that might involve changes in schedules, adjustments to documentation systems, or shifts in staff roles and responsibilities.
It may also require ongoing communication and education efforts so all staff members understand the treatment and are committed to its successful implementation. However, even after successful implementation, your work is not done.
Monitoring and evaluating are as important as the implementation itself. This is because they allow you to track the treatment’s effectiveness and make necessary adjustments to improve its delivery and outcomes.
Setting up a system for tracking implementation metrics is critical to this process. These metrics will show your organization’s progress and impact. They might include the number of staff trained in the treatment, the number of patients receiving it and the treatment outcomes.
For example, tracking the number of staff who are trained can help you ensure that you have sufficient capacity to deliver the treatment. Tracking the number of patients receiving the treatment can provide insights into the uptake of the treatment and identify any barriers to access.
In addition, monitoring treatment outcomes can provide evidence of the treatment’s effectiveness and identify areas for improvement. You can discuss these metrics at regular team meetings to find a way forward to challenges in implementation.
6. Promote a culture of continuous learning
Promoting a culture of continuous learning in your organization is a fundamental step in sustaining the use of EBTs over time. The mental health field is continually evolving, and staying informed encourages growth, increases curiosity and motivates teams to raise their bar of excellence.
You can develop a culture of consistent learning by encouraging your team to stay informed on the latest scientific research and practices.
They can do this by subscribing to relevant medical and academic journals, attending professional conferences or webinars, participating in relevant online forums or communities, and engaging in regular reading or study groups within the organization.
Staying current with the latest research also helps ensure that your practice remains at the forefront of the field and continues to deliver the most effective treatments.
Providing opportunities for continuous professional development is also crucial for building a culture of learning. This can involve arranging regular in-house training sessions, supporting staff in attending external training or education programs, and providing resources for self-directed learning.
This helps them refine their skills, broaden their knowledge, and stay motivated and engaged in their work. You should also consider creating an environment where feedback is welcomed. You can set up systems for regular performance feedback, encourage open and constructive communication among staff, and promote continuous improvement. Feedback will not only help identify areas for improvement; it will build a culture of accountability and mutual support.
Conclusion
Integrating evidence-based treatments (EBTs) into mental healthcare is not a trend; it is a necessity. As the mental health field continues to evolve and our understanding of mental health disorders deepens, treatment approaches must be adapted accordingly. This is why using treatments grounded in scientific evidence can significantly improve patient health.
This shift requires substantial effort, resources and commitment to ongoing learning and adaptation. It demands a strategic approach to identify appropriate EBTs, secure necessary resources, train staff and continuously monitor and adjust the implementation process. It also calls for continuous learning, where new evidence is embraced and used to enhance practice. These are essential steps for improving mental health patient care without compromising the credibility of the healthcare system.
