“A greatest hits compilation of mental health support”: A qualitative study of health professionals’ perceptions of modular CBT in paediatric epilepsy services

TY - JOUR

T1 - “A greatest hits compilation of mental health support”: A qualitative study of health professionals’ perceptions of modular CBT in paediatric epilepsy services

AU - Coughtrey, Anna E.

AU - Bennett, Sophie D

AU - Sibelli, Alice

AU - Chorpita, Bruce

AU - Dalrymple, Emma

AU - Fonagy, Peter

AU - Ford, Tamsin

AU - Heyman, Isobel

AU - Moss-Morris, Rona

AU - MICE Study Team, null

AU - Shafran, Roz

PY - 2021/8/2

Y1 - 2021/8/2

N2 - Objectives: The primary aim of this qualitative study was to explore the views of health professionals, with little previous clinical mental health training, of an adapted modular cognitive-behavioural intervention (MATCH-ADTC) for common mental health problems in children and young people with epilepsy. Methods: Health Care Professionals (HCPs) and their supervisors were interviewed at the start (n=23) and end (n=15) of the six-month training period. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Three higher order themes with sub-themes were identified: (1) strengths of the MATCH-ADTC content and manual; (2) expectations of the treatment; and (3) improving practice with MATCH-ADTC. Overall impressions of the training and treatment were largely positive, with HCPs viewing MATCH-ADTC as an acceptable treatment for the families that they worked with. HCPs highlighted some challenges in delivering an integrated service, particularly relating to the time commitment involved and their own confidence in delivering the intervention, as many participants did not have a mental health background. Conclusions: The findings suggested that the intervention and training was acceptable to HCPs working in paediatric epilepsy services, and confidence grew over the six-month training period. Further research is needed to understand how to best train, supervise and support HCPs in paediatric epilepsy services to deliver mental health treatments.

AB - Objectives: The primary aim of this qualitative study was to explore the views of health professionals, with little previous clinical mental health training, of an adapted modular cognitive-behavioural intervention (MATCH-ADTC) for common mental health problems in children and young people with epilepsy. Methods: Health Care Professionals (HCPs) and their supervisors were interviewed at the start (n=23) and end (n=15) of the six-month training period. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Three higher order themes with sub-themes were identified: (1) strengths of the MATCH-ADTC content and manual; (2) expectations of the treatment; and (3) improving practice with MATCH-ADTC. Overall impressions of the training and treatment were largely positive, with HCPs viewing MATCH-ADTC as an acceptable treatment for the families that they worked with. HCPs highlighted some challenges in delivering an integrated service, particularly relating to the time commitment involved and their own confidence in delivering the intervention, as many participants did not have a mental health background. Conclusions: The findings suggested that the intervention and training was acceptable to HCPs working in paediatric epilepsy services, and confidence grew over the six-month training period. Further research is needed to understand how to best train, supervise and support HCPs in paediatric epilepsy services to deliver mental health treatments.

KW - Cognitive-behavioural therapy

KW - paediatric epilepsy

KW - supervision and training

M3 - Article

SN - 1525-5050

JO - Epilepsy & Behavior

JF - Epilepsy & Behavior

ER -