Purpose

This research study tests strategies to train behavioral health providers in Written Exposure Therapy (WET), an evidence-based treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There are a number of evidence-based treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, most behavioral health providers have not received training in these PTSD treatments and do not offer them regularly to their patients. The researchers hope to learn about the optimal way to train behavioral providers in this type of treatment. This study is designed to determine the comparative effectiveness of different training strategies on key outcomes such as how much competency providers develop in the therapy and to how many patients they deliver the therapy. This study will help the researchers understand if we can help more providers learn to competently delivery Written Exposure Therapy by using strategies that are more convenient and cost less money, including web-based and AI-facilitated training supports. This study will also help us learn which training strategies work best for which providers so that in the future we can make personalized training recommendations.

Condition

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
All ages
Eligible Sex
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Inclusion Criteria

  1. mental health provider; 2. serves veterans and/or service members with PTSD (by self-report); 3. willing to participate in either live or web-based training.

Exclusion Criteria

  1. has already completed formal training in Written Exposure Therapy

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel Assignment
Intervention Model Description
Three hundred providers will be randomized at a 1:1 ratio to a foundational learning condition and a competency development condition (2 x 2 design).
Primary Purpose
Other
Masking
None (Open Label)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Active Comparator
Workshop + Consultation Calls
10-hour, live workshop over 2 days with a live trainer via video conferencing. There will also be twelve 1 hour calls with a live therapy consultant .
  • Behavioral: Live workshop
    Approximately 10 hours (excluding breaks) over 2 days with a live trainer via video conferencing (e.g., Zoom)
  • Behavioral: Consultation video calls
    Twelve 1-hour calls with a live therapy consultant via videoconferencing (e.g., Zoom)
Active Comparator
Workshop + TherapyTrainer
10-hour, live workshop over 2 days with a live trainer via video conferencing.There will also be approximately 12 hours of engagement with the AI training support tool (TherapyTrainer)
  • Behavioral: Live workshop
    Approximately 10 hours (excluding breaks) over 2 days with a live trainer via video conferencing (e.g., Zoom)
  • Behavioral: TherapyTrainer
    No live meetings, but approximately 12 hours of engaging with the AI training support tool (TherapyTrainer)
    Other names:
    • AI Training Tool
Active Comparator
Web-Based Training + Consultation Calls
AI enhanced Web-based training with no live meetings, but approximately 8-10 hours of asynchronous, self-paced training. There will also be twelve 1 hour calls with a live therapy consultant .
  • Behavioral: AI-enhanced Web-based training
    No live meetings, but approximately 8-10 hours of asynchronous training at the learner's pace over about 1 month.
  • Behavioral: Consultation video calls
    Twelve 1-hour calls with a live therapy consultant via videoconferencing (e.g., Zoom)
Active Comparator
Web-based Training + TherapyTrainer
AI enhanced Web-based training with no live meetings, but approximately 8-10 hours of asynchronous, self-paced training. There will also be approximately 12 hours of engagement with the AI training support tool (TherapyTrainer)
  • Behavioral: AI-enhanced Web-based training
    No live meetings, but approximately 8-10 hours of asynchronous training at the learner's pace over about 1 month.
  • Behavioral: TherapyTrainer
    No live meetings, but approximately 12 hours of engaging with the AI training support tool (TherapyTrainer)
    Other names:
    • AI Training Tool

Recruiting Locations

University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas 78229
Contact:
Stefanie LoSavio, PhD
210-562-6714
losavio@uthscsa.edu

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Study Contact

Stefanie Losavio, PhD
(210) 562-6714
ASCENT@uthscsa.edu

Detailed Description

This study will enroll behavioral health providers (i.e., professional therapists) and test a training program for Written Exposure Therapy that includes 1. an enhanced, web-based foundational training (web-based training plus integrated TherapyTrainer components) and 2. an AI training support tool for competency development (TherapyTrainer). This randomized clinical trial will compare web/AI training, among providers who serve Veterans and Service Members, to standard Written Exposure Therapy training (i.e., human-delivered live workshop and consultation calls) on provider, patient, and cost-effectiveness outcomes. There is no cross-over of conditions. Providers in both conditions will be eligible to earn continuing education credits and approval as Written Exposure Therapy Providers who have completed competency based training and two training cases.

Notice

Study information shown on this site is derived from ClinicalTrials.gov (a public registry operated by the National Institutes of Health). The listing of studies provided is not certain to be all studies for which you might be eligible. Furthermore, study eligibility requirements can be difficult to understand and may change over time, so it is wise to speak with your medical care provider and individual research study teams when making decisions related to participation.