A novel digital platform for measurement-based peer supervision of non-specialist providers conducting brief psychological interventions

PROJECT SUMMARY Unmet mental health needs continue to be a significant public health challenge in the US and the increase in reported adverse mental health conditions associated with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic have likely exacerbated this problem. We propose a reverse innovation solution to digitize an evidence-based task sharing approach for treating depression in individuals from underserved communities, where health inequities are most pronounced due to a shortage of mental health specialists and lack of access to resources. The digital platform will be designed to host a suite of tools to support measurement-based peer supervision (MBPS), which includes the ability for non-specialist providers (NSPs) to record therapy sessions, rate sessions using a validated quality scale, and review ratings safely and securely with peers in moderated group discussions. Target end users will be NSPs who are trained on a behavioral activation program which has been successfully implemented in India to treat depression. The goal of this Phase I project is to demonstrate acceptability and feasibility of the proposed digital solution. We will address this goal with two specific aims. In Aim 1, we will work in close collaboration with experts in MBPS and an advisory group of NSPs to determine design requirements and develop a prototype of the digital solution. In Aim 2, a purposive sample target end users (i.e., NSPs trained in behavioral activation) will test the prototype developed in Aim 1. We will use mixed methods (interviews, surveys, passive usage data) to probe usability and user experience and identify barriers and facilitators to implementation. Results from Phase I will inform a potential Phase II project to study the digital platform’s implementation at scale and its effect on NSP performance with the long-term goal of improving mental health outcomes, particularly in hard-to-reach communities that can benefit the most from NSP-led support.