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Psychiatric Quarterly
Published in: Psychiatric Quarterly 1/2019

01-03-2019 | Original Paper

In Their Own Words: Clinician Experiences and Challenges in Administering Evidence-Based Treatments for PTSD in the Veterans Health Administration

Authors: Jennifer M. Doran, McKenna O’Shea, Ilan Harpaz-Rotem

Published in: Psychiatric Quarterly | Issue 1/2019

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Abstract

The aim of the present study was to increase the understanding of clinician experiences with administering two evidence-based psychotherapies (EBPs) for PTSD (Cognitive Processing Therapy and Prolonged Exposure therapy) in the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System (VA). The study assessed clinician perceptions through the use of two, one-hour focus groups and employed a rigorous data analysis approach, Consensual Qualitative Research. Clinicians who work in an outpatient PTSD clinic at a New England VA, and who routinely administer EPBs for PTSD, participated in the study. Results were categorized into seven domains by the coding team, including 1) EBP Strengths, 2) EBP Weaknesses, 3) Challenges Specific to the Veteran Population, 4) Perceived EBP Effectiveness, 5) Active Ingredients for Treating PTSD, 6) Treatment Structure and Process, and 7) Suggested Changes/Improvements to EBPs. These domains are discussed in detail, with several core ideas falling under each domain. Operational definitions and representative quotes are provided. Overall, clinicians provided a balanced perspective and identified both strengths and weaknesses of the EBPs for PTSD. They identified several challenges in applying these treatments to veteran populations, and shared their beliefs about treatment effectiveness, how they use these treatments in their clinical practice, and how they would change the treatments if given an opportunity to do so. In this way, the study offers a small but important step in attempting to address the science-practice gap related to EBP for PTSD implementation efforts in the VA.
Appendix
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Footnotes
1
Nine out of the twelve study clinicians elected to participate in one of the focus groups. One participant was unexpectedly unable to attend the scheduled focus group, resulting in data from eight clinicians. Participation was voluntary and optional. Information on why the remaining three clinicians opted not to participate was not collected.
 
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Metadata
Title
In Their Own Words: Clinician Experiences and Challenges in Administering Evidence-Based Treatments for PTSD in the Veterans Health Administration
Authors
Jennifer M. Doran
McKenna O’Shea
Ilan Harpaz-Rotem
Publication date
01-03-2019
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Psychiatric Quarterly / Issue 1/2019
Print ISSN: 0033-2720
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6709
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11126-018-9604-5

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