WHO guidance on mental health training: a systematic review of the progress for non-specialist health workers

ObjectiveTo assess existing literature on the effectiveness of mental health training courses for non-specialist health workers, based on the WHO guidelines (2008).DesignA systematic review was carried out, complying with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist.Data sourcesAfter examination of key studies in the literature, a comprehensive search was performed within the following electronic databases on 31 May 2017: PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL (using EBSCOHost interface), Cochrane, Web of Science.Eligibility criteriaSearches were conducted for articles published in English from January 2008 to May 2017, using search terms related to mental health, training, community care and evaluation/outcome, following the Participants, Interventions, Comparators and Outcomes process for evidence-based practice.OutcomesData were collected across the following categories: trainees (number and background), training course (curriculum, teaching method, length), evaluation method (timing of evaluation, collection method and measures assessed) and evaluation outcome (any improvement recorded from baseline). In addition, studies were assessed for their methodological quality using the framework established by Liuet al(2016).Results29 studies with relevant training courses met the inclusion criteria. These were implemented across 16 countries since 2008 (over half between 2014 and 2017), with 10 in three high-income countries. Evaluation methods and outcomes showed high variability across studies, with courses assessing trainees’ attitude, knowledge, clinical practice, skills, confidence, satisfaction and/or patient outcome. All 29 studies found some improvement after training in at least one area, and 10 studies found this improvement to be significant.ConclusionsTraining non-specialist workers in mental healthcare is an effective strategy to increase global provision and capacity, and improves knowledge, attitude, skill and confidence among health workers, as well as clinical practice and patient outcome. Areas for future focus include the development of standardised evaluation methods and outcomes to allow cross-comparison between studies, and optimisation of course structure.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42016033269

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Mental health training for health workers in Africa: a systematic review

The Lancet Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/s2215-0366(15)00379-x ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 65-76 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Germaine Liu ◽

Helen Jack ◽

Angharad Piette ◽

Walter Mangezi ◽

Debra Machando ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Health Workers ◽

Mental Health Training ◽

Health Training

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Delivering and implementing child and adolescent mental health training for mental health and allied professionals: a systematic review and qualitative meta-aggregation

BMC Medical Education ◽

10.1186/s12909-021-02530-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Emily Banwell ◽

Neil Humphrey ◽

Pamela Qualter

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Qualitative Research ◽

Mental Health Professionals ◽

Synthesis Method ◽

Barriers And Facilitators ◽

Youth Workers ◽

Mental Health Training ◽

Health Training ◽

Starting Point

Abstract Background The increasing prevalence of mental health difficulties among children and young people (CYP) suggests that early intervention is vital. A comprehensive system of care and support requires the involvement of mental health professionals, including psychologists and psychiatrists, and allied professionals, including teachers, police, and youth workers. A critical starting point is the provision of effective training, in order that these professionals can better support the mental health needs of the CYP that they encounter. Objectives Given the primacy of training in the CYP mental health support system, understanding the factors that maximise potential gains and facilitate uptake is pertinent. The current review therefore located and explored qualitative research evidence, to identify the barriers and facilitators underpinning successful delivery and implementation of training focussed on the mental health of CYP, for both mental health and allied professionals. Methods A systematic review and qualitative meta-aggregation were conducted. Systematic searches were carried out using ASSIA, EMBASE, MEDLINE, NICE Evidence, PsycINFO, and Scopus databases, for papers published between 2000 and 2020. Twelve thousand four hundred forty-eight records were identified, of which 39 were eligible for review. The records were appraised for quality using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Research, and synthesised using the qualitative meta-aggregation method. Results One hundred eighty-two raw findings were extracted from the 39 papers, which were condensed into 47 sub-categories, 19 categories, and finally 5 synthesis statements. These synthesis statements reflected the barriers and facilitators influencing the training delivery process (“support”; “content, design, and planning”), and the implementation of training into the workplace (“context”; “perceived value”; “organisational factors”). Conclusions The synthesis statements and underlying categories provide practical recommendations for those designing, delivering, or implementing CYP mental health training. Recommendations ranged from facilitating peer support during training, to the idea that training will be better implemented when perceived need is high. The review provides a robust evidence-based foundation to “common-sense” principles, drawing them into a coherent and organised framework using a synthesis method grounded in pragmatism. Protocol registration number PROSPERO reference ID: CRD42020162876.

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