Abstract
BACKGROUND: Online training programs offer accessible, cost-effective solutions to disseminate evidence-based interventions. Yet, online training is typically insufficient without additional clinical case consultation (CCC). This is particularly salient in adolescent eating disorders treatment, where clinical demand far outstrips capacities of providers trained in evidence-based treatment approaches. This study seeks to better understand attitudes and barriers to receiving CCC among private practice clinicians treating adolescent eating disorders. METHODS: Licensed private practice clinicians (n = 47; 100% female, average age 36 y old; 75% master's degree; average of 4y experience) across the United States enrolled in a randomized trial offering online training (webinar or e-learning) in family-based treatment (FBT) for anorexia nervosa. Post online training, participants were asked before and after 12 sessions of expert CCC to self-report attitudes and barriers to obtaining CCC. RESULTS: Prior to CCC, participants rated expert CCC in learning FBT as important/very important (100%). The majority participated in CCC since licensure (82%) and in the last year (68%), rating it valuable or very valuable (77%). Participants predicted that CCC would be valuable (96%) and an important motivation in completing the training study (96%). After CCC, participants viewed CCC as important/very important in learning FBT (94%). Common obstacles included finding a study-eligible patient (44%), scheduling constraints (19%), lost wages (16%), mismatch with consultant (3%), and hesitation to discuss cases (3%). CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians reported favorable perspectives on CCC in complimenting learning FBT via online training. Future studies are needed to determine methods to deliver, assess, and scale CCC to enhance treatment fidelity.