Colorado State University
Changes in mental health are common after acquired brain injury (ABI), defined as any traumatic or non-traumatic injury to the brain after birth, affecting approximately 1 in 3 adults with ABI. Occupational therapy (OT) practitioners are uniquely qualified to contribute to addressing how mental and physical health influence engagement in activities of daily living, yet many OT practitioners working in neurorehabilitation do not implement recommended evidence-based mental health screening or intervention. This study aims to test a comprehensive implementation program for integrating evidence-based mental healthcare into OT rehabilitation services for people with ABI. The study will be conducted with OT practitioners working in home and community neurorehabilitation settings. The focus of the study is to better understand strategies to help OT practitioners adopt and implement evidence-based mental healthcare into routine practice. By doing so, the study aims to improve neurorehabilitation care delivery and promote positive mental health and community engagement among people with ABI.
This Hybrid Type 3 convergent mixed methods pilot study examines implementation processes, practitioner experiences, and stakeholder perspectives associated with participation in a multifaceted implementation program designed to support OTPs in addressing mental health among adults with ABI in home and community-based care. Participating OTPs complete a virtual, self-paced, five-module educational training focused on evidence-based mental health screening and intervention strategies relevant to ABI. Additional implementation support activities include periodic check-ins, mentoring and coachin…
Inclusion criteria are at the level of the therapist: * State-licensed occupational therapists (OTs) or occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) in the United States * OTs or OTAs who work in home or community neurorehabilitation practice settings and treat adults (18 years of age or older) with acquired brain injury (defined as any traumatic or non-traumatic injury to the brain after birth) Exclusion Criteria: * OTs or OTAs without a state license to practice OT * OTs or OTAs who do not work in home or community neurorehabilitation
OTPs will complete training and coaching sessions on evidence-based OT mental health screening (anxiety and depressive symptoms and loneliness) and intervention practices (cognitive behavioral therapy, problem-solving therapy, motivational interviewing, behavior change, and self-regulation), receive job and decision aid templates, attend monthly check-insas a team and with clinical experts in OT mental healthcare, and fidelity monitoring and observation. Additional strategies may be identified by the OT practitioners in the study through interviews or focus groups, allowing for further tailoring of implementation strategies to the local context.