Online training for evidence-based child trauma treatment: evaluation of the German language TF-CBT-Web

Abstract

Background Evidence-based trauma-focused interventions for treating PTSD in children and youth are barely used in practice. Web-based training has proven to be an effective way of transferring knowledge to healthcare professionals. Objective TF-CBT Web is a web-based training programme designed to foster the dissemination of Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT) for children and youth, and is run by the Medical University of South Carolina. This paper describes the characteristics of healthcare professionals who registered for the adapted German language version of TF-CBT Web. It evaluates the effectiveness and user friendliness of the programme. Method : Similar to the TF-CBT treatment manual, the German language TF-CBT Web contains 12 modules. Between 2018 and 2020, 4,020 users registered for the programme. During the registration process users provided demographic information. The knowledge of users regarding the TF-CBT components was assessed via pre-tests and post-tests in each module. Results The programme was accessed by a sample of mostly German users with varying professional health care backgrounds and a wide-ranging spread of work experience. The results indicated a significant knowledge gain and high rates of user satisfaction with the programme. Conclusions In summary, the results of this study suggested that web-based training is an effective and well-accepted method for knowledge gain in trauma-focused interventions. Future research should evaluate the actual application of the taught methods in clinical practice. HIGHLIGHTS Children and adolescents with PTSD require trauma-focused treatment. However, evidence-based interventions for this patient population are barely used. Therefore, it is necessary to expand professional training for the treatment of traumatised children and adolescents. Our evaluation showed the effectiveness and feasibility of a web-based training programme for mental health practitioners in an evidence-based treatment for children and youth with PTSD (TF-CBT). Results show a significant knowledge gain of users who participate in the web-based training programme. The user satisfaction survey also revealed that users found the modus and content of the web-based training applicable and relevant for their clinical practice.

Longitudinal changes in mental health professionals’ perceived trauma care competencies after participation in a brief online training programme

“…Specific knowledge about trauma, its consequences, and evidence-based treatment is required (Cook et al, 2019 ; Schäfer et al, 2018 ), and therefore these skills should be acquired via specialised training. Previous research showed that clinicians with more than 10 years of work experience were less likely to complete Trauma-Focused – Cognitive Behavioural Therapy online training programme, compared to users with less than five years of work experience (Kasparik et al, 2022 ). Therefore, it is crucial to inform professionals that even experienced clinicians may significantly benefit from post-diploma training, and it is essential to regularly improve specific trauma care competencies.…”

“…Finally, we only investigated participants’ confidence in their trauma care competencies in the current study. Although feeling confident in one’s abilities is an important factor leading to a sense of control in terms of the ability to change behaviour (Albright et al, 2016 ; Kasparik et al, 2022 ) and is associated with treatment outcomes (Espeleta et al, 2022 ), it would be very useful to evaluate the effectiveness of training using additional methods, such as how it transfers into actual clinical practice and treatment outcomes (Cook et al, 2019 ). The inclusion of various other less subjective study outcomes, for example, knowledge questionnaires, case formulation examples, treatment plan outlines, evaluations of clinical performance by experienced clinicians in case analysis and supervision, and the use of patient data could provide a broader picture of the outcomes of training programs.…”