Implementing and Evaluating Computer-Based Interventions for Mental Health: Testing an Implementation Strategy for VA Outpatient Care

Objective: The purpose this study is to evaluate the preliminary (1) effectiveness of an implementation strategy for Internet-based Self-help Interventions and (2) clinical outcomes of a specific Internet-based self-help program for insomnia, SHUTiTM, in VA Connecticut outpatient primary care. The primary hypothesis is that the experimental implementation strategy the investigators are developing, relative to a control strategy, will result in higher rates of program engagement by patients, greater provider adoption through referral to the program, greater program completion, and improved patient insomnia outcomes.

Research Design: The investigators will employ a hybrid implementation-effectiveness study design through which the investigators will primarily test the effectiveness of the implementation strategy, while secondarily evaluating the clinical effectiveness of the SHUTiTM program. The investigators will use a quasi-experimental pre-/post-cohort design whereby SHUTiTM will initially be implemented using a low-intensity (control) strategy, followed by implementation using the experimental strategy. The SHUTiTM program's association with clinical response will be evaluated in an uncontrolled pre-/post-format.

Methodology: Internet-based self-help programs are personalized, self-guided interventions delivered over a computer, mobile device, or other Internet platform and focused on improving knowledge, awareness, or behavior change for a mental or physical health problem. Through previous and on-going projects at VACT, the investigators are developing a general strategy for implementing Internet-based Self-help programs in VA primary care, specifically among Patient Aligned Care Teams (PACT) and Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) providers. An implementation strategy is defined as a systematic intervention to integrate evidence-based health innovations into usual care. The strategy the investigators propose to test consists of four core components: (1) a clinical intermediary for patient support, (2) provider/staff facilitation and education, (3) patient education, and (4) stepped-care for those requiring additional treatment. The investigators' currently approved protocol (#0002) involves interviewing VA providers, administrators, and staff in order to expand and modify the components of this strategy. In the proposed study, the investigators will compare this strategy to a low intensity (control) strategy with respect to the implementation related outcomes of patent engagement, provider adoption through referral to the program, and patient completion, over a six-month active implementation period. Use of the program will continue and implementation outcomes will be gathered over an additional one-year sustainment phase. The investigators will target the very common clinical problem of insomnia and use the SHUTiTM program, a 6-week self-guided program utilizing standard cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques for the treatment of chronic insomnia. The program has been shown to improve insomnia severity and other sleep related outcomes in a number of controlled trials. The clinical effectiveness of SHUTiTM will be evaluated using clinical insomnia outcomes obtained on all patients enrolled over the 6-month active implementation periods.

Impact/Significance: The development and testing of evidence-based implementation strategies for Internet-based self-help programs in VA outpatient care is essential given that (1) there is an increasing number of Internet-based self-help programs providing evidence-based treatment for a variety of mental and behavioral health disorders, (2) VA has committed to improving access to care, especially evidence-based and self-care resources, and (3) there is a Congressional mandate that VA implement Internet-based care. This will be first controlled trial of an implementation strategy for Internet-based self-help programs in a VA primary care (PACT/PCMHI) context.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients Receiving care from a VA Connecticut West Haven PACT/PCMHI Provider
• Diagnosed with insomnia lasting 3 months by the PACT provider, as evidenced by referral by the provider for access to the SHUTiTM program
• Able to provide valid informed consent, as evidenced by answering questions indicating their understanding of the content of the Informed Consent Document
• Willing to participate in an internet-based self-help program for insomnia after the access to and requirements of the program are explained to them
• English-speaking (The SHUTiTM program is only available in English)

Exclusion criteria

• Evidence of acute psychiatric decompensation requiring inpatient admission or emergency department services within the last month, including suicidality, homicidally, mania, or psychotic decompensation.
• Evidence of a conservator of person either verbally reported by the patient or upon inspection of the medical record.