Supporting Mental Health Providers: the Feasibility and Promise of a Virtual Professional Learning Community

ABSTRACT

In collaboration with a large state entity, two virtual professional learning communities (VPLCs) were developed to support community mental health providers following a 12-month evidence-based practices (EBP) training and consultation. In this paper, the development, implementation, and initial feasibility of the VPLCs were described. Social network analyses were conducted to explore whether structural elements of a social network that support implementation of innovative practices were present. Feedback from participants contributed to the content, structure, and process of VPLCs to increase acceptability and feasibility. Results indicated that 23 of 24 clinicians attended three of six sessions and 20 of 24 clinicians attended at least four of six sessions, indicating feasibility of the VPLC. Social network results need to be interpreted with caution due to small sample, but suggest that VPLC provider social networks may contain structures (density and boundary density) that support innovative practices. Consenting providers reported relatively high intent to contact VPLC peers, indicating they want to contact peers when needed, but reported lower levels of actual contact with VPLC peers, suggesting that barriers exist to actually reaching out to colleagues for advice. Recommendations to enhance sustainability of effective practices post training andconsultation are discussed.

Acknowledgments

We thank our state partners, as well as the community agencies and providers who allowed us to observe and learn from their work.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institute of Mental Health (P20 MH078458-01).