Cited by 246Health Policy Implementation SciencePsychiatric care and mental health servicesHealth Sciences Research and Education

The Role of Staff Turnover in the Implementation of Evidence-Based Practices in Mental Health Care

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Woltmann, Emily M., Whitley, Rob, McHugo, Gregory J., Brunette, Mary, Torrey, William C., Coots, Laura, Lynde, David, Drake, Robert E.·2008·Psychiatric Services

Abstract

Objectives This study examined turnover rates of teams implementing psychosocial evidence-based practices in public-sector mental health settings. It also explored the relationship between turnover and implementation outcomes in an effort to understand whether practitioner perspectives on turnover are related to implementation outcomes.Methods Team turnover was measured for 42 implementing teams participating in a national demonstration project examining implementation of five evidence-based practices between 2002 and 2005. Regression techniques were used to analyze the effects of team turnover on penetration and fidelity. Qualitative data collected throughout the project were blended with the quantitative data to examine the significance of team turnover to those attempting to implement the practices.Results High team turnover was common (M+/-SD=81%+/-46%) and did not vary by practice. The 24-month turnover rate was inversely related to fidelity scores at 24 months (N=40, beta=-.005, p=.01). A negative trend was observed for penetration. Further analysis indicated that 71% of teams noted that turnover was a relevant factor in implementation.Conclusions The behavioral health workforce remains in flux. High turnover most often had a negative impact on implementation, although some teams were able to use strategies to improve implementation through turnover. Implementation models must consider turbulent behavioral health workforce conditions.

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  1. [1]1. Institute of Medicine: Improving the Qual- ity of Health Care for Mental and Sub- stance-Use Conditions: Quality Chasm Se- ries. Washington DC, National Academies Press, 2006
  2. [10]10. Bingley P, Westergård-Nielsen NC: Per- sonnel policy and profit. Journal of Busi- ness Research 57:557-563, 2004

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Authors
Woltmann, E. M., Whitley, R., McHugo, G. J., Brunette, M., Torrey, W. C., Coots, L., Lynde, D., & Drake, R. E.
Affiliations
Dartmouth College (US)
Venue
Psychiatric Services
Published
2008-07
Volume
59
Issue
7
Pages
732-737
ISSN
  • 0022-1597 (ISSN-L)
  • 1075-2730
  • 1557-9700
OpenAlex
W2104229989
Cited by
246
References
32
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 24 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 22 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 21 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 16 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 12 · 2012: 12
FWCI
20.59
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Psychiatric Services (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
  • John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
  • Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
  • Center for Mental Health Services
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health Policy Implementation Science
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychiatric care and mental health services
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health Sciences Research and Education
Keywords
employee turnover, implementation fidelity, evidence-based practice, psychosocial interventions, mental health services, behavioral health workforce, implementation teams, implementation outcomes
MeSH terms
Workforce, Behavioral Medicine, Community Mental Health Services, Cooperative Behavior, Diffusion of Innovation, Health Plan Implementation, Humans, Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care, Personnel Turnover, United States, Linear Models, Logistic Models, Public Sector, Evidence-Based Medicine, Empirical Research

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