Multi-site evaluation of IAPT training for personality difficulties
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A Multi-site mixed-methods evaluation of brief IAPT staff training to adapt practice for secondary personality difficulties.
IRAS ID
312857
Contact name
Laura Warbrick
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Exeter
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN81104604
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 31 days
Research summary
Individuals diagnosed with personality disorder typically experience enduring patterns of emotional and cognitive difficulties which affect the way they view themselves and relate to others. It is now recognized that these difficulties fluctuate over time and fall on a continuum from subthreshold symptoms (personality difficulties) through to mild, moderate and severe personality disorders (7). While those with ‘severe personality disorders’ can sometimes access specialist services, those with milder difficulties are either offered care that does not meet their needs in IAPT (UK primary care Psychological Therapies service) or they fall into the ‘gap’ between primary and secondary care services and are offered nothing.
Individuals also frequently present to IAPT services with other primary difficulties (chiefly anxiety, depression) alongside secondary personality difficulties or mild disorder. Analyses of routine outcomes data illustrates that these individuals respond less well to anxiety and depression protocols compared to those without secondary personality difficulties. This research will pragmatically address this by evaluating whether response to anxiety and depression treatments can be improved when subtle adaptations are made to accommodate these features.
IAPT clinicians are not routinely trained to help individuals with personality difficulties, and so a 1-day training workshop for IAPT therapists has been developed focusing on adapting usual depression and anxiety treatments to accommodate secondary personality difficulties. This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of this training intervention across three diverse IAPT settings to:
a) Develop therapist- perceived enthusiasm and capability to work with these individuals
b) Whether this translates into improved clinical outcomes for service users
c) Explore therapist views on the impact of the training on therapist wellbeing and perceived sustainability of their work
The research will also refine the training intervention using a systematic approach informed by 'intervention mapping' which is an approach that engages key stakeholders (clients, carers, clinicians and commissioners) in the systematic design of complex interventions.REC name
West Midlands - South Birmingham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/WM/0218
Date of REC Opinion
14 Oct 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion