Implementing guided ICBT for chronic pain and fatigue: A qualitative evaluation among therapists and managers

Introduction: Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (ICBT) for chronic pain and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) has a high potential to increase the number of patients who can receive an evidence based treatment aimed to reduce symptoms and/or disability and to lower burden on (mental) health...

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Main Authors: Rosalie van der Vaart, Margreet Worm-Smeitink, Yvonne Bos, Michel Wensing, Andrea Evers, Hans Knoop
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2019-12-01
Series:Internet Interventions
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782919300910
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author Rosalie van der Vaart
Margreet Worm-Smeitink
Yvonne Bos
Michel Wensing
Andrea Evers
Hans Knoop
author_facet Rosalie van der Vaart
Margreet Worm-Smeitink
Yvonne Bos
Michel Wensing
Andrea Evers
Hans Knoop
author_sort Rosalie van der Vaart
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (ICBT) for chronic pain and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) has a high potential to increase the number of patients who can receive an evidence based treatment aimed to reduce symptoms and/or disability and to lower burden on (mental) health care. However, implementing a new behaviour-change intervention, and especially an online intervention, has shown to be a challenge. This study aimed to identify factors influencing the implementation process of ICBT for chronic pain and CFS in mental health care. Methods: A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with therapists and managers from twelve mental health care clinics was conducted. Questions and analysis were guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), covering five domains: (1) the implemented intervention, (2) individual characteristics of the users, (3) the inner setting of implementation, (4) the outer setting, and (5) the implementation process. Results: In all five domains important facilitators and barriers were found. Key themes were: (1) the quality of the content, its perceived effectiveness and usability, (2) the attitude, self-efficacy and ability to learn new skills among therapists, and motivation to start online treatment among patients, (3) internal communication within a team, existing workload, and top-down support from the management, (4) availability of reimbursement options and marketing strategies, and (5) involvement of all key stakeholders, steering towards independence of the implementation sites during the process and adequate training of therapists. Conclusions: This study provides insight in the challenge of implementing ICBT for chronic pain and CFS in daily clinical practice. Several lessons can be learned from the interviews with therapists and managers which can also be more broadly applied to (ICBT) implementation projects in general. Development of practical tools to support the implementation process would be a valuable next step to overcome certain challenges at forehand and to properly prepare for those expected to come along. Keywords: Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy, Implementation, Pain, Chronic fatigue syndrome, Qualitative evaluation
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spelling doaj.art-e2bf469b4b7a4383ad970f79d8956f442022-12-21T19:12:51ZengElsevierInternet Interventions2214-78292019-12-0118Implementing guided ICBT for chronic pain and fatigue: A qualitative evaluation among therapists and managersRosalie van der Vaart0Margreet Worm-Smeitink1Yvonne Bos2Michel Wensing3Andrea Evers4Hans Knoop5Institute of Psychology, Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands; Corresponding author.Department of Medical Psychology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the NetherlandsInstitute of Psychology, Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Leiden University, Leiden, the NetherlandsRadboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute of Health Sciences, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Heidelberg University Hospital, Department of General Practice and Health Services Research, Heidelberg, GermanyInstitute of Psychology, Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Leiden University, Leiden, the NetherlandsDepartment of Medical Psychology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the NetherlandsIntroduction: Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (ICBT) for chronic pain and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) has a high potential to increase the number of patients who can receive an evidence based treatment aimed to reduce symptoms and/or disability and to lower burden on (mental) health care. However, implementing a new behaviour-change intervention, and especially an online intervention, has shown to be a challenge. This study aimed to identify factors influencing the implementation process of ICBT for chronic pain and CFS in mental health care. Methods: A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with therapists and managers from twelve mental health care clinics was conducted. Questions and analysis were guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), covering five domains: (1) the implemented intervention, (2) individual characteristics of the users, (3) the inner setting of implementation, (4) the outer setting, and (5) the implementation process. Results: In all five domains important facilitators and barriers were found. Key themes were: (1) the quality of the content, its perceived effectiveness and usability, (2) the attitude, self-efficacy and ability to learn new skills among therapists, and motivation to start online treatment among patients, (3) internal communication within a team, existing workload, and top-down support from the management, (4) availability of reimbursement options and marketing strategies, and (5) involvement of all key stakeholders, steering towards independence of the implementation sites during the process and adequate training of therapists. Conclusions: This study provides insight in the challenge of implementing ICBT for chronic pain and CFS in daily clinical practice. Several lessons can be learned from the interviews with therapists and managers which can also be more broadly applied to (ICBT) implementation projects in general. Development of practical tools to support the implementation process would be a valuable next step to overcome certain challenges at forehand and to properly prepare for those expected to come along. Keywords: Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy, Implementation, Pain, Chronic fatigue syndrome, Qualitative evaluationhttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782919300910
spellingShingle Rosalie van der Vaart
Margreet Worm-Smeitink
Yvonne Bos
Michel Wensing
Andrea Evers
Hans Knoop
Implementing guided ICBT for chronic pain and fatigue: A qualitative evaluation among therapists and managers
Internet Interventions
title Implementing guided ICBT for chronic pain and fatigue: A qualitative evaluation among therapists and managers
title_full Implementing guided ICBT for chronic pain and fatigue: A qualitative evaluation among therapists and managers
title_fullStr Implementing guided ICBT for chronic pain and fatigue: A qualitative evaluation among therapists and managers
title_full_unstemmed Implementing guided ICBT for chronic pain and fatigue: A qualitative evaluation among therapists and managers
title_short Implementing guided ICBT for chronic pain and fatigue: A qualitative evaluation among therapists and managers
title_sort implementing guided icbt for chronic pain and fatigue a qualitative evaluation among therapists and managers
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782919300910
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