Examining how organizational leaders perceive internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy for public safety personnel using the RE-AIM implementation framework

Janine D Beahm; Hugh C McCall; R Nicholas Carleton; Nicholas Jones; Heather D Hadjistavropoulos

doi:10.1016/j.invent.2024.100718

Examining how organizational leaders perceive internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy for public safety personnel using the RE-AIM implementation framework

Internet Interv. 2024 Jan 26:35:100718. doi: 10.1016/j.invent.2024.100718. eCollection 2024 Mar.

Authors

Janine D Beahm^{1

2}, Hugh C McCall^{1

2}, R Nicholas Carleton^{1

2}, Nicholas Jones^{2

3}, Heather D Hadjistavropoulos^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychology, University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Pkwy, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada.
² PSPNET, University of Regina, 2 Research Drive, Regina, SK S4T 2P7, Canada.
³ Department of Justice Studies, University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Pkwy, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada.

Abstract

Background: Within Canada, internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (ICBT) has recently been tailored by PSPNET to meet the needs of public safety personnel (PSP) to help address high rates of mental health problems within this population. Perceptions and outcomes of ICBT among PSP are promising, but it remains unknown how PSPNET is perceived by PSP organizational leaders. It is important to assess this gap because these leaders have significant potential to influence the uptake of ICBT.

Methods: In the current study, PSP leaders (n = 10) were interviewed to examine their perceptions of PSPNET and opportunities to improve ICBT implementation. The RE-AIM evaluation framework was used to assess PSP leaders' perceptions of PSPNET in terms of reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance.

Results: The results evidenced that leaders perceived PSPNET as effective in reaching and serving PSP and PSP organizations. PSP leaders reported perceiving ICBT as effectively implemented, especially for being freely offered to individual PSP and for improving PSP's access to experienced therapists specifically trained to work with PSP. Participants indicated organizations have promoted and will continue promoting PSPNET longer-term, facilitating adoption and maintenance. Factors perceived as facilitating successful service delivery included building relationships and trust with PSP organizations and general support for PSP leadership mental health initiatives. PSP leaders identified perceived areas for improving ICBT implementation (e.g., ensuring leaders have access to data on PSPNET uptake and outcomes, creating promotional videos, expanding availability of PSPNET to other provinces, offering additional options for receiving therapist support).

Implications: Overall, the study provides insights into PSP leaders' perceptions of the implementation of ICBT among PSP and ideas for optimizing implementation efforts.

Keywords: Digital mental health; First responders; ICBT; Implementation; Learning health systems; Public safety personnel; Qualitative.