Motivational Interviewing to Engage OEF/OIF Veterans in Mental Health Treatment

The goal of this randomised controlled trial is to evaluate the efficacy of telephone-administered motivational interviewing (TAMI) to enhance VA mental health treatment engagement among veterans of Operations Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Iraqi Freedom (OIF) who screen positive for mental health disorders on telephone assessment. We will evaluate whether TAMI results in improved mental health treatment engagement, decreased mental health symptoms and increased quality of life among OEF/OIF veterans with mental health disorders. The long-term aim of this study is to conduct rapid assessment and intervention to prevent chronic mental illness and associated disability among our newest generation of veterans.

Official Title

Motivational Interviewing to Engage OEF/OIF Veterans in Mental Health Treatment.

Conditions

• Combat Disorders
• Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
• Depression
• Substance-Related Disorders

Study Type

Interventional

Study Design

Screening, Randomised, Open Label, Active Control, Single Group Assignment, Efficacy Study.

Further Details

Primary Outcome Measures:

• To determine the efficacy of TAMI, the primary outcome is the binary distinction between those who make an initial phone call to the OEF/OIF Combat Case Manager to arrange for a mental health treatment appointment versus those who do not (Aim 1).

Secondary Outcome Measures:

• The binary distinction between attending an initial or re-engagement VA mental health treatment appointment versus not
• The total number of VA mental health treatment sessions attended and
• The proportion of sessions attended per those scheduled during the 6-month follow-up period
• Change in mental health symptom scores between the TAMI and Control groups
• Change in quality of life score from baseline at 1, 3, and 6 months.

Study Start

April 2007

Eligibility & Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 Years and older
• Genders Eligible for Study: Both
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Inclusion Criteria:

• Veteran of OEF/OIF with service in Iraq or Afghanistan, or areas surrounding these combat theaters
• Military service separation date after 9/30/01
• Has a zip code that corresponds to a Northern California address and no plans to relocate
• Must screen positive for one or more of the following: PTSD, depression, high-risk alcohol and/or illicit substance use to enroll in the randomised controlled trial.

Exclusion criteria:

• Veterans who served post-9/11/01 but who did not serve in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom
• In VA or non-VA mental health treatment currently
• Residing more than 60 miles from SFVAMC or a CBOC associated with SFVAMC

Total Enrolment

1000

Contact Details

 

Karen H Seal, MD, MPH
415 221-4810 ext 4852

 

karen.seal@va.gov   

Location:

San Francisco VA Medical Center       
San Francisco, California
United States, 94121