In the evolving landscape of online therapy, ensuring the highest quality of care is paramount. A recent study, "Audit and feedback of therapist-assisted internet-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy within routine care: A quality improvement case study," sheds light on effective methods to enhance therapist performance through structured audit and feedback (A&F). This blog delves into the findings and practical applications of this research to help practitioners refine their skills and improve patient outcomes.
Understanding Audit and Feedback (A&F)
A&F is a systematic approach to improving healthcare practices by measuring current performance against established standards and providing targeted feedback to practitioners. The goal is to identify areas needing improvement and to implement changes that enhance care quality. In the context of therapist-assisted internet-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy (ICBT), A&F can be instrumental in monitoring and improving therapist behaviors.
Key Findings from the Study
The study audited 1,840 emails sent by eight therapists to 198 patients over a year. The audit focused on 15 undesirable therapist behaviors, such as failing to respond to symptom increases or not addressing patient concerns. Feedback was provided to therapists four times throughout the year.
- Overall, a low percentage of undesirable behaviors were observed (12% or less of total emails).
- Most therapist behaviors showed improvement across the audit cycles.
- Three behaviors (failure to ask questions, poor instructions, and not linking emails to course content) did not show consistent improvement and were flagged for further discussion.
Practical Applications for Practitioners
Based on the study's findings, here are some actionable steps for practitioners to improve their skills:
- Regular Self-Audits: Conduct periodic self-audits to identify and address undesirable behaviors in your communications with patients.
- Feedback Integration: Actively seek and incorporate feedback from colleagues and supervisors to refine your therapeutic approach.
- Focus on Key Behaviors: Pay particular attention to behaviors that have been flagged as problematic, such as ensuring instructions are clear and linking communications to course content.
- Continuous Learning: Engage in ongoing professional development to stay updated on best practices in ICBT.
Encouraging Further Research
While this study provides valuable insights, it also highlights the need for further research to establish standards for therapist behaviors in ICBT. Practitioners are encouraged to contribute to this growing field by participating in studies and sharing their experiences.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Audit and feedback of therapist-assisted internet-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy within routine care: A quality improvement case study.
