Dissemination of an evidence-based parenting program: Clinician perspectives on training and implementation

The present study used a qualitative approach to examine clinicians' experiences as trainees of an evidence-based parenting program, parent-Child interaction therapy (PCIT). In order to explore factors related to successful implementation and maintenance of the PCIT program in a community setting, twenty-nine community clinicians completed phone interviews six months to four years after an initial forty-hour PCIT training workshop. Clinicians reported positive experiences with the training, but also described barriers related to agency, client, program, and training factors. Findings suggest that (1) trainees view the core components of PCIT as acceptable and valuable, (2) training costs and problems with third-party reimbursement can impede implementation, (3) clinicians may benefit from training that includes skills in motivation enhancement, and (4) ongoing consultation is valuable to clinicians, although trainees differ in their preferences regarding the manner of delivery (e.g., teleconference, live). This study brings clinicians into the conversation regarding barriers to and facilitators of evidence-based training and implementation.