(PS7-D93) Qualitative Feedback About an Ultra-brief Cognitive-behavioral Therapy Intervention (UB-CBT) for Routine Primary Care Visits

Data during the COVID-19 pandemic estimate an increase in adult depressive and anxiety disorders and an increase in mental health-related primary care visits (Olfson et al., 2014; Ridout et al., 2021; Twenge & Joiner, 2020). Most patients lack access to specialist mental health care and receive treatment exclusively in primary care, but primary care providers do not receive standardized training or tools for addressing mental health symptoms as they arise in appointments (Kroenke & Unutzer, 2017; Smith-East & Neff, 2020; Young et al., 2001). During a time when patients are seeking mental health resources in primary care at higher rates than ever, it is especially important to develop scalable, accessible cognitive-behavioral interventions in primary care settings. The authors developed an Ultra-Brief Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (UB-CBT) intervention that aims to increase access to evidence-based mental health tools in primary care for patients with symptoms of depression and anxiety. An accompanying one-hour training workshop teaches providers to administer the intervention in routine patient visits. The present study examined provider perspectives about the training workshop and intervention. N = 38 Adult Primary Care and Family Medicine providers from University of Vermont-affiliated practices participated in the training workshop. Participants completed a survey immediately after training, which included three free-response questions. Data from free-response questions were coded using qualitative content analysis methods outlined by Bengtsson (2016) and Johnson & LaMontagne (1993). Themes were organized in four main categories: Positive Feedback about Training, Negative Feedback about Training, Positive Feedback about the Intervention, and Negative Feedback about the Intervention. Regarding the training workshop, the following positive themes arose: General Positive Feedback, Visual Training Material, Verbal Instruction, Real Life Examples, and the following negative themes arose: Lack of Access to Material, and Slide Accessibility Issues. Regarding the intervention, the following positive themes arose: User-Friendly, General Feasibility, Patient Benefits, Quick, Script, Visual Patient Material, and the following negative themes arose: Too Long, Patient Engagement Issues, Follow-Up Care Concerns, Issues with Provider Access to Material, Too Short, and Script. Results suggest that the training workshop and intervention were deemed acceptable and feasible overall by providers. Negative feedback was minimal and will be addressed with minor changes to the training workshop and intervention. A feasible and acceptable UB-CBT program has potential to increase access to evidence-based mental health tools for patients in the U.S. healthcare system.