What Canadian clinical psychologists want from psychotherapy research.

Abstract

The practice-research divide in psychotherapy has resulted in patients not always receiving the best possible evidence-based care. The conduct of psychotherapy research may be 1 of the barriers to the uptake of findings into clinical practice. To address this divide, a multidisciplinary group of clinicians, researchers, and educators used a knowledge translation and exchange (KTE) framework to develop the Psychotherapy Practice Research Network (PPRNet). KTE in part involves engaging clinicians and researchers in collaborative partnerships to develop research protocols, produce practice-based research, and disseminate the findings in clinically meaningful ways. At a national PPRNet conference, 82 clinicians and researchers listed psychotherapy research topics important to clinical practice, and 41 survey items were created. An online survey was conducted, and almost half of respondents (N ϭ 474) were Canadian clinical psychologists (216 from Quebec and 258 from the rest of Canada). Top-ranked research themes among Canadian clinical psychologists included therapeutic relationship and mechanisms of change, professional development, therapist factors, and client factors. Bottom-ranked research themes included barriers to accessing treatment, matching clients to therapy, technology and adjunctive interventions, progress monitoring, and therapy manuals. Some differences were noted in ratings between Quebec psychologists and those who practice elsewhere in Canada, but overall ranking of themes were remarkably consistent. The practice-research divide in psychotherapy may be addressed by engaging Canadian clinical psychologists in research that they prioritize. Research produced in this manner will have a better chance of being translated into practice to improve patient outcomes.

Improving psychologists' adherence to evidence‐based practice guidelines for treating musculoskeletal injuries: A feasibility study

“…The current study adopted a partnership approach with field experts and psychologists to generate recommendations in order to increase adherence with EBP treatment guidelines within the SIRA compensation schemes (Haider et al, ; Tasca, ). Active involvement of psychologists in proposing and examining the feasibility of the recommendations was aimed at improving EBP and increasing engagement to facilitate adoption of the guidelines in ordinary clinical settings (Baker et al, ; Francke, Smit, de Veer, & Mistiaen, ).…”

Clinical psychology in Canada: Challenges and opportunities.

“…As such, it may be hoped that such issues as practice networks (Castonguay et al, 2010; Tasca, Grenon, Fortin-Langelier, & Chyurlia, 2014) or improved dissemination methods can be invoked to narrow the gap between the scientific and clinical communities (McHugh & Barlow, 2010, 2012). Work already being conducted in this area in Québec is commendable, and could be profitably expanded to other Canadian jurisdictions (Tasca et al, 2014; Tasca, 2015).…”