5 - (SYM 33) Disseminating Cognitive Behavioraltherapy for Body Dysmorphic Disorder: Evaluating the Efficacy of Online Therapist Training

Background: Amidst the need for scalable and sustainable mental health interventions, this longitudinal study investigates the potential of an online training program in disseminating Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), a psychiatric illness characterized by excessive concern over perceived physical flaws, leading to significant distress and impairment in daily functioning. Recognizing the challenge of limited access to specialized treatment, especially in underresourced and historically excluded communities, our primary objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of a digital delivery model that offers introductory training resources to clinicians.

Methods: We evaluated digital training outcomes from Massachusetts General Hospital’s Psychiatry Academy's low-intensity, web-based training designed for clinicians. The training aimed to equip practitioners with skills to treat BDD. The program engaged 175 clinicians between November 2017 and December 2022, and focused on improving clinician competence, beliefs about CBT and exposure therapy, and knowledge of BDD. Assessments were conducted at baseline, immediately post-training, and six months following the training to gauge the program's impact.

Results: Preliminary findings demonstrate that training participants were predominantly female (79.8%), Caucasian (91.6%), and 43.7 years (SD=12). Most worked in private practice settings, individually (48.2%) or in groups (27.3%). Clinically, these participants reported a small portion of their practice as BDD individuals, averaging 4.0% of their caseload. Before the training, the biggest barrier to using treatments was a lack of confidence in delivering such treatments independently, reported by 25.6%. Post-training data from 74 clinicians revealed a positive shift, with 31.1% expressing confidence in their skills and a significant reduction in those feeling incompetent to deliver CBT for BDD independently, down to 12.2%.

Conclusions: Our findings highlight the potential for an online training to enhance accessibility to BDD treatment and encourage community engagement through increased awareness and understanding of CBT. The implications of our research extend beyond immediate clinical outcomes, advocating for a broader application of evidence-based practices in psychology to meet the diverse needs of global communities, and increasing accessibility through provider training.