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Describes a study on antidepressant selection and adequacy of treatment in a health maintenance organization. Number of refills of antidepressant medications; Mean, modal and median doses at fourth prescription; Percentage of patients receiving treatment; Patient characteristics that differentiate between patients receiving treatment. INSET: Definition of study terms..

Introduction: Expert consensus operationalized treatment response and remission in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) as a Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) reduction ≥35% and score ≤12 with ≤2 on Clinical Global Impressions Improvement (CGI-I) and Severity (CGI-S) scales, respectively. However, there has been scant empirical evidence supporting these definitions., Methods: We conducted a systematic review and an individual participant data meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) in adults with OCD to determine optimal Y-BOCS thresholds for response and remission. We estimated pooled sensitivity/specificity for each percent reduction threshold (response) or posttreatment score (remission) to determine response and remission defined by a CGI-I and CGI-S ≤ 2, respectively., Results: Individual participant data from 25 of 94 eligible RCTs (1235 participants) were included. The optimal threshold for response was ≥30% Y-BOCS reduction and for remission was ≤15 posttreatment Y-BOCS. However, differences in sensitivity and specificity between the optimal and nearby thresholds for response and remission were small with some uncertainty demonstrated by the confidence ellipses., Conclusion: While the empirically derived Y-BOCS thresholds in our meta-analysis differ from expert consensus, given the predominance of data from more recent trials of OCD, which involved more refractory participants and novel treatment modalities as opposed to first-line therapies, we recommend the continued use of the consensus definitions., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest Abraham Zangen is an inventor of Deep TMS coils developed to study and treat neurological and psychiatric disorders and has financial interest in BrainsWay which produces and markets these coils. Daniel L.C. Costa received honoraria from Janssen, Lundbeck and Schwabe pharmaceuticals. David Mataix-Cols receives royalties for contributing articles to UpToDate, Inc. David Shannahoff-Khalsa reports royalties from two books published by W.W. Norton & Co, Inc. that includes the Kundalini Yoga meditation protocol, personal sales for a DVD for the protocol, and OCD patient fees. Eric A. Storch receives research funding for his institution from the Ream Foundation, International OCD Foundation, and NIH. He is a consultant for Brainsway and Biohaven Pharmaceuticals. He owns stock less than $5000 in NView (for distribution of the Y-BOCS and CY-BOCS) and Limbix. He receives book royalties from Elsevier, Wiley, Oxford, American Psychological Association, Guildford, Springer, Routledge, and Jessica Kingsley. Juliana B. Diniz has received speaker's fees from Lundbeck and Janssen Cilag for lectures. Michael H. Bloch has received grant/research support from Therapix Biosciences, Emalex Biosciences, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Biohaven Pharmaceuticals, NIH, Lesbian Health Fund, Yale Foundation for Lesbian and Gay Studies (FLAGS), and Patterson Foundation, has served on the advisory board/data monitoring and safety board of Therapix Biosciences, and serves as associate editor of Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and on the editorial boards of Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology and Depression & Anxiety. He has received royalties from Wolters Kluwer for Lewis's Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: A Comprehensive Textbook, Fifth Edition and moonlighting pay from the VA. Roseli G. Shavitt has received consultancy honoraria from Lundbeck and research grants from Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) in the past three years. Sabine Wilhelm is a presenter for the Massachusetts General Hospital Psychiatry Academy in educational programs supported through independent medical education grants from pharmaceutical companies. She has received royalties from Elsevier Publications, Guilford Publications, New Harbinger Publications, Springer, and Oxford University Press, speaking honoraria from various academic institutions and foundations, including the International Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Foundation, the Tourette Association of America, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and payment from the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies for her role as Associate Editor of the Behavior Therapy journal and John Wiley & Sons, Inc. as Associate Editor of the journal Depression & Anxiety. She has also received honoraria for her role on the Scientific Advisory Board for One-Mind (PsyberGuide), Koa Health, Inc, and Noom, Inc. She has received research and salary support from Koa Health, Inc. None of the remaining co-authors have any conflicts of interest to declare., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Prolonged grief disorder (PGD) is a newly recognized mental disorder characterized by pervasive intense grief that persists longer than cultural or social expectations and interferes with functioning. The COVID-19 epidemic has resulted in increased rates of PGD, and few clinicians feel confident in treating this condition. PGD therapy (PGDT) is a simple, short-term, and evidence-based treatment developed in tandem with the validation of the PGD diagnosis. To facilitate the dissemination of PGDT training, we developed a web-based therapist tutorial that includes didactic training on PGDT concepts and principles as well as web-based multimedia patient scenarios and examples of clinical implementation of PGDT., Objective: We aimed to evaluate user satisfaction with the tutorial and whether the tutorial increased trainees' knowledge of PGDT principles and procedures. Moreover, we included a small number of pilot questions to evaluate the PGDT-related clinical skills., Methods: This study evaluated tutorial learning using a pre- and poststudy design. Participants were recruited from professional organization mailing lists, announcements to graduates of the Columbia School of Social Work, and through word of mouth. After signing consent, participants completed a brief demographic survey, a 55-item multiple-choice prestudy test on the concepts and principles of PGD and PGDT covered in the tutorial, and a 4-item pilot web-based prestudy test to gauge PGD clinical implementation skills. The link to the course content was then activated, and participants were given 8 weeks to complete the 11-module tutorial containing information, web-based exercises, simulated patient and video examples, and self-tests., Results: Overall, 406 clinicians signed consent, and 236 (58.1%) started the tutorial. Of these, 83.1% (196/236) completed all 11 modules. Trainee scores on our PDGT assessment improved substantially from pretraining to the postmodule assessment, with the total number of correct answers increasing from a mean of 29 (SD 5.5; 52.7% correct) to 36.7 (SD 5.2; 66.7% correct; t 195 =18.93; P<.001). In addition, the trainee's implementation scores on 4 clinical vignettes increased from 2.6 (SD 0.7) correct out of 4 to 3.1 (SD 0.4) out of 4 (t 188 =7.02; P<.001). Effect sizes (Cohen d) were 1.44 (95% CI 1.23-1.65) for PDGT assessment and 1.06 (95% CI 0.84-1.29) for implementation. Trainees found the tutorial interesting, enjoyable, clearly presented, and useful for professional development. They endorsed a mean score of 3.7 (SD 0.47) on a 1 to 4 scale of agreement with recommending the course to others and feeling satisfied with the tutorial, and a mean of 3.3 (SD 0.57) with feeling able to apply the skills with clients., Conclusions: This pilot study provides support for the usefulness of this web-based training for teaching clinicians how to administer PGDT. The addition of patient scenarios for clinical implementation strategies holds promise for increasing the effectiveness of PGDT training and other evidence-based treatments., Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05121792; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05121792., (©Kenneth Kobak, M Katherine Shear, Natalia A Skritskaya, Colleen Bloom, Gaelle Bottex. Originally published in JMIR Medical Education (https://mededu.jmir.org), 27.03.2023.)

Objective: To present initial validity data on three web-based computerized versions of the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (KSADS-COMP)., Method: The sample for evaluating the validity of the clinician-administered KSADS-COMP included 511 youths 6-18 years of age who were participants in the Child Mind Institute Healthy Brain Network. The sample for evaluating the parent and youth self-administered versions of the KSADS-COMP included 158 youths 11-17 years of age recruited from three academic institutions., Results: Average administration time for completing the combined parent and youth clinician-administered KSADS-COMP was less time than previously reported for completing the paper-and-pencil K-SADS with only one informant (91.9 ± 50.1 minutes). Average administration times for the youth and parent self-administered KSADS-COMP were 50.9 ± 28.0 minutes and 63.2 ± 38.3 minutes, respectively, and youths and parents rated their experience using the web-based self-administered KSADS-COMP versions very positively. Diagnoses generated with all three KSADS-COMP versions demonstrated good convergent validity against established clinical rating scales and dimensional diagnostic-specific ratings derived from the KSADS-COMP. When parent and youth self-administered KSADS-COMP data were integrated, good to excellent concordance was also achieved between diagnoses derived using the self-administered and clinician-administered KSADS-COMP versions (area under the curve = 0.89-1.00)., Conclusion: The three versions of the KSADS-COMP demonstrate promising psychometric properties, while offering efficiency in administration and scoring. The clinician-administered KSADS-COMP shows utility not only for research, but also for implementation in clinical practice, with self-report preinterview ratings that streamline administration. The self-administered KSADS-COMP versions have numerous potential research and clinical applications, including in large-scale epidemiological studies, in schools, in emergency departments, and in telehealth to address the critical shortage of child and adolescent mental health specialists., Clinical Trial Registration Information: Computerized Screening for Comorbidity in Adolescents With Substance or Psychiatric Disorders; https://clinicaltrials.gov/; NCT01866956., (Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

This study investigated a technology-enhanced training protocol to facilitate dissemination of therapist training on cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for anxiety disorders. Seventy community clinicians received an online tutorial followed by live remote observation of clinical skills via videoconference. Impact of training on patient outcomes was also assessed. Training resulted in a significant increase in both trainee knowledge of CBT concepts and techniques and therapist competence in applying these skills. Patients treated by trainees following training had significant reductions in anxiety and depression. Ratings of user satisfaction were high. Results provide support for the use of these technologies for therapist training in CBT., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest: Drs. Kobak, Craske, and Rose own the intellectual property described in this research and have a financial interest in the online tutorial.

Objective: Early intervention can significantly improve long-term outcomes for children with autism. Unfortunately, many children do not receive early intervention services due to a critical shortage of trained professionals in this area. To bridge this gap, we evaluated a Web-based parent training tutorial (Enhancing Interactions), based on evidence-based practices and utilizing the Web-based platform to maximize learning., Methods: Twenty-three parents with a child between 18 months and 6 years with an autism spectrum disorder participated. Pre- and posttest scores of parents' knowledge were used to evaluate tutorial effectiveness. The system usability scale (SUS) evaluated technical user-friendliness and the user satisfaction questionnaire (USQ), gauged satisfaction with content., Results: The mean number of correct items on the posttest significantly increased, from 12.6 to 20.4, p<0.001. The mean SUS score was 85 (standard deviation=17), corresponding to a score of "excellent." All participants found the tutorial user friendly, well integrated, and 96% (all but one participant) thought it was easy to use, felt confident using the technical features, and would use a tutorial like this again. On the USQ, all participants found that the tutorial was well organized, clearly presented, and easy to understand; that it increased their knowledge about communicating with their child; and that they felt capable of applying these techniques with their child., Conclusions: The tutorial appears effective in increasing parents' knowledge with high user satisfaction.

Background: Lack of familiarity with early signs of autism by community service providers has resulted in significant delays in children receiving early intervention services necessary to improve long-term outcomes. The Screening Tool for Autism in Toddlers and Young Children (STAT) was specifically developed to identify early behavioral features of autism. Although STAT training has been available for years, access is limited because of few STAT trainers and geographic concerns. This study evaluated the efficacy and acceptability of Web-based training of the STAT as a means of increasing accessibility to this training., Materials and Methods: Thirty professionals from three geographic areas participated. Roughly 1 of 3 had little or no training on autism assessment. The tutorial contains a general overview, administration and scoring conventions, and item-specific content and concepts. Participants completed a pretest and then completed the STAT tutorial at their own pace, followed by a post-test and a user satisfaction questionnaire., Results: Mean scores on STAT concepts significantly improved after taking the tutorial (p<0.001). At pretest, only 1 person (3%) obtained correct scores on at least 80% of the items (a priori cutoff for a "pass"), compared with 22 (73%) at post-test (p<0.001). The majority of trainees enjoyed taking the tutorial, thought it was well organized, relevant, interesting, and useful, and felt it was easy to understand and operate., Discussion: Results support Web-based training as a promising method for promoting early identification of autism and may help overcome problems associated with the critical shortage of autism-screening professionals.

Objective: The quality of clinical interviews conducted in industry-sponsored clinical drug trials is an important but frequently overlooked variable that may influence the outcome of a study. We evaluated the quality of Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) clinical interviews performed at baseline in 2 similar multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled depression trials sponsored by 2 pharmaceutical companies., Methods: A total of 104 audiotaped HAM-D clinical interviews were evaluated by a blinded expert reviewer for interview quality using the Rater Applied Performance Scale (RAPS). The RAPS assesses adherence to a structured interview guide, clarification of and follow-up to patient responses, neutrality, rapport, and adequacy of information obtained., Results: HAM-D interviews were brief and cursory and the quality of interviews was below what would be expected in a clinical drug trial. Thirty-nine percent of the interviews were conducted in 10 minutes or less, and most interviews were rated fair or unsatisfactory on most RAPS dimensions., Conclusions: Results from our small sample illustrate that the clinical interview skills of raters who administered the HAM-D were below what many would consider acceptable. Evaluation and training of clinical interview skills should be considered as part of a rater training program.

Objective: To determine the 3-month prevalence rate of migraine in a health maintenance organization (HMO) population, using a 2-stage screening process and neurologist exam, and to examine the burden of illness associated with both previously diagnosed and previously undiagnosed migraine in this population, Methods: A migraine assessment was sent to a random sample of 1,000 HMO patients between April 1999 and January 2000. Those screening positive and a random sample of those screening negative for migraine were evaluated by neurologists using a structured diagnostic assessment. Then, those diagnosed to have migraines by the study's neurologists completed a battery of 3 questionnaires, evaluating severity, distress, and impairment, Results: Of 1,000 questionnaires sent, 753 (75.3%) were returned. The estimate of prevalence of migraine in this population ranged from 21.4% (adjusted for response bias) to 27.8% (unadjusted for selection bias). Only 48% of respondents had been previously diagnosed with migraine. The typical migraine caused moderate-to-severe distress in 69%, and 66% had definite or extreme interference in their social or occupational functioning. The average migraineur missed 7.6 hours of work due to migraine in the past 3 months. Previously undiagnosed migraine was associated with substantial impairment, with 58% of responders reporting interference with daily activities and 54% reporting moderate or greater distress. There was no significant difference between previously diagnosed and undiagnosed migraineurs on 3 outcome measures: pain, interference, or days of missed work. A higher proportion of previously diagnosed migraineurs (84%) reported moderate or greater distress compared with undiagnosed migraineurs (54%, P=0.002)., Conclusions: Using a neurologist exam, the researchers found that the prevalence of migraine headaches was higher than previously reported. About one half of migraineurs had been previously undiagnosed. Undiagnosed migraine is associated with significant pain, distress, and dysfunction and is similar in these respects to diagnosed migraine. Increased public education and physician education on migraine are warranted.

For psychiatry to contribute to the development of the next generation of antidepressant pharmacotherapies, effective use of clinical trial methods is as critical as innovation in neurochemical research. Results from clinical trials on the efficacy of a new drug can be obscured by methodological problems. Accurate diagnosis and precise measurement of the clinical symptoms during conduct of the clinical trials are crucial to obtaining interpretable outcomes. As tools that reliably diagnose disorders and assess symptoms become available, computer administration of rating instruments may improve the accuracy of clinical trial results. This article describes methodological factors that can confound study outcomes and discusses the potential for interactive voice response (IVR) technology to address some of these problems.