Social work training to reduce duration of untreated psychosis: Methodology and considerations of a web‐based training for community providers

Abstract

Aim Outcomes for individuals with psychotic disorders can be improved through early intervention services; however, identification continues to be a major problem in connecting individuals with these services. Social workers form a vast majority of the human service and mental health workforce in the United States and therefore have the potential to play a unique role in identifying and referring those who may benefit from specialty early intervention services. Methods The current article describes the methodological design, implementation, and participant recruitment procedures of a large‐scale, web‐based training program for social workers promoting identification and referral of individuals with emerging symptoms of a mental illness with psychosis in the context of a randomized clinical trial. Results The web‐based study enrolled 1384 individuals. More than half of study participants enrolled within the first 3 months of the 14‐month recruitment period. Completion of all study components was achieved by 959 individuals (69% of total enrolled), and completion status did not vary significantly by gender, ethnicity, or facility at which the individual was employed. Completion rates varied by race, such that participants identifying as White were more likely to complete the study, while those identifying as Black were less likely. Discussion The results suggest the feasibility of using a web‐based training program to engage social workers in early psychosis identification practices. Challenges related to encouraging participants to complete the training and lessons learned during the study recruitment are discussed.

Reorienting the focus from an individual to a community-level lens to improve the pathways through care for early psychosis in the United States

“…Investigators at the University of Maryland sought to amplify this pipeline through a focused training for social workers, who represent a large part of the mental health service delivery workforce. Training included a web-based training program for social workers to identify and screen individuals and then make referrals to appropriate services ( Andorko et al, 2022 ). The intention of this training extends the potential reach through early identification and referral by training social workers in formal and informal settings, which could be extended to other professions.…”

Telepsychotherapy with youth at clinical high risk for psychosis: Clinical issues and best practices during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“…Prior to the pandemic, our team conducted a randomized trial to train Maryland social workers in early psychosis identification and referral through an online platform, and we have received approximately 15% of our referral calls through recipients of this training (Andorko et al, 2020). Telehealth can also offer providers on our team safer options for teleconsultation and telepsychotherapy on hospital psychiatric or medical units, which have started to restrict access during the COVID-19 pandemic.…”