Clinical Consultation During a Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Community-Based Learning Collaborative: Examination of Consultation Content, Consultative Strategies, and Provider Engagement

Consultation following evidence-based practice (EBP) training enhances the uptake of EBPs. Yet, little is known about what occurs during consultation, and it is often difficult for providers to engage in consultation. This study examined provider engagement in consultation and the content and strategies used during consultation following training in Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) as part of a community-based learning collaborative (CBLC). Minute-to-minute live coding of consultation calls revealed most content was clinically-oriented and the most common strategies used by consultants were didactic in nature. Providers with more years of professional experience and those with greater TF-CBT knowledge attended significantly more consultation calls. Providers with a greater average weekly caseload and providers who were supervisors presented significantly more cases on calls. Providers with greater TF-CBT knowledge spoke significantly more minutes on calls. Consistent with previous work, findings highlight difficulties with provider engagement in consultation and that providers with more baseline expertise are most likely to be engaged. Findings suggest tailoring EBP training efforts to better engage providers at greatest risk for low engagement.

Automated summary

This study examined provider engagement, content, and strategies used during consultation following training in Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). The findings suggest that providers with more professional experience and TF-CBT knowledge are more likely to engage in consultation. The study also highlights the difficulties providers face in engaging in consultation and suggests tailoring training efforts to better engage providers at greatest risk for low engagement.