Associations Between Consultation and Provider Satisfaction With Evidence-Based Treatment

ABSTRACT

Given that providers’ perceptions of evidence-based treatments (EBTs) can influence their implementation and sustainment of these treatments, it is important to identify factors that promote provider satisfaction with EBTs. Despite literature suggesting that consultation (i.e., ongoing implementation support provided by a treatment expert) can enhance provider and client outcomes, little is known about the relationship between consultation and provider satisfaction with EBTs. The present study investigated associations between consultants and provider satisfaction with a modular EBT protocol for youth. Measures of the consultation process (i.e., frequency of discussion, modeling, and role-playing strategies; consultant–manual agreement, defined as consultant recommendation of practices that correspond to the treatment manual) were also explored as predictors of satisfaction. Data were drawn from 64 youth served by 26 providers and 5 consultants as part of a randomized effectiveness trial. Providers rated their satisfaction with the EBT protocol after the completion of each treatment case. Consultation processes were measured using consultant-reported records of their meetings with providers. Results revealed that providers’ satisfaction with the treatment’s responsiveness, but not its effectiveness, varied significantly depending on their consultant. The consultation processes employed by consultants, including level of consultant-manual agreement, were not significantly associated with satisfaction. Findings suggest that there may have been aspects of how consultants were making recommendations, rather than what they were recommending as part of the protocol, that potentially influenced provider satisfaction. Future research may benefit from considered measurement and design of the consultation process to promote provider satisfaction.

Conflict of interest

The Modular Approach to Treatment of Children with Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, or Conduct Problems manual used in this study is a treatment protocol and book for which Dr. Chorpita receives income.

Funding

This study was supported in part by a grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, which did not shape the design or conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis, or interpretation of the data; or the preparation, review, or approval of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported in part by a grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, which did not shape the design or conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis, or interpretation of the data; or the preparation, review, or approval of the article.