Supporting Grass Roots Implementation of an Evidence-Based Psychotherapy Through a Virtual Community of Practice: A Case Example in the Department of Veterans Affairs. Issue 3 (August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Landes, Sara J.; Smith, Brandy N.; Weingardt, Kenneth R.
• Is Part Of: Cognitive and behavioral practice. Volume 26:Issue 3(2019)
• Page Start: 453
• Page End: 465
• Publication Date: 2019-08
• Subjects: community of practice -- virtual -- implementation -- information dissemination -- dialectical behavior therapy; Behavior therapy -- Periodicals; Cognitive therapy -- Periodicals; Behavior Therapy -- Periodicals; Cognitive Therapy -- Periodicals; 616.8914205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpra.2019.02.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1077-7229

Abstract

Abstract: In contrast to a top-down dissemination approach, the present approach identified existing clinicians using an evidence-based psychotherapy (EBP), dialectical behavior therapy, throughout the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) system, and created a virtual community of practice (VCoP) to facilitate sharing of materials, resources, information, and clinical expertise. This "bottom-up" or grassroots approach to building a VCoP has potential to support the adoption of EBPs in settings without the resources required to support a large-scale training and consultation initiative. The objective of the current paper is to describe creation, dissemination, and web analytics data of this VCoP to connect providers using an EBP in a national health care system. The VCoP was created using SharePoint and development included user acceptance testing. Dissemination was achieved through a variety of outlets, including use of e-mail listservs, promotion on internal Web sites, and presentations. Monthly Web analytics data were collected on number of unique users, location of users, and number of requests or visits. Monthly Web analytics data indicated that the site was visited every workday in the first year and consistently across 5 years. Number of unique users and number of requests was relatively stable with increases corresponding to efforts to increase site engagement. Location of users demonstrates a wide reach across the VA system. Web analytics data indicate sustained use of the site by providers and methods to facilitate and increase use and interaction appeared to have a positive impact. Future research should investigate the effectiveness of such a strategy on provider behavior. Highlights: Virtual communities of practice (VCoP) can support implementation of practices. TheBarnett et al. (2012) health VCoP framework can guide creation of a VCoP. Sustained use of the VCoP was demonstrated over 5 years. Listservs can increase engagement with discussion forums.