Competency-based Training in Problem Management Plus: a Randomized Controlled Trial (EQUIP-PM+)

George Washington University (GW)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Depression

Treatments: Behavioral: Equip-based Problem Management Plus training; Behavioral: Standard Problem Management Plus training (training as usual)

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04954872

NCR191797-v2

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Full 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.

Enrollment: 99 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• No prior mental health professional training
• Literate in Nepali

Exclusion criteria

• Any prior mental health professional training

Trial design

Primary purpose: Health Services Research

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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99 participants in 2 patient groups

Training as usual

Active Comparator group

Description:

Standard Problem Management Plus training.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Standard Problem Management Plus training (training as usual)

Equip-based training

Experimental group

Description:

Training that uses the Equip platform to assess competencies and incorporate this information into trainers and supervisors activities.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Equip-based Problem Management Plus training