Introduction

Technology-assisted cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is recognized as an evidence-based and cost-effective way to address psychological difficulties in children. Increasingly, these interventions are provided by staff with different levels of psychological training, such as assistant psychologists (APs). However, there is limited qualitative understanding regarding their experiences of providing technology-assisted CBT.

Method

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with APs (n = 14) in primary care settings in Ireland. This qualitative evaluation is part of an ongoing RCT for the CBT game Pesky gNATs (O'Reilly and Coyle, 2015). All data were inductively analysed using qualitative thematic analysis by Braun and Clarke (2006).

Results

Five overarching themes were identified: 1) positive experiences, 2) integrating Pesky gNATs with traditional CBT, 3) managing parental ‘buy-in’, 4) implementation complexities, and 5) future perspectives. Two subthemes were reported for each overarching theme: benefits for children, AP professional growth, facilitating engagement, different child characteristics, unclear role for parents, child autonomy, managing waitlists, external factors, design considerations and advice to future APs.

Conclusions

Pesky gNATs is well-received by APs in primary care, and is mostly experienced as helpful by both APs and children. However, a number of factors may be impacting the ability of APs to effectively provide the intervention.

中文翻译：

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初级保健中 Pesky gNAT 的定性评估 - 助理心理学家为情绪低落和焦虑的儿童提供计算机辅助 CBT 的经验。

介绍

技术辅助认知行为疗法 (CBT) 被认为是解决儿童心理困难的一种循证且具有成本效益的方法。这些干预措施越来越多地由具有不同心理培训水平的工作人员提供，例如助理心理学家 (AP)。然而，对他们提供技术辅助 CBT 的经验的定性理解有限。

方法

 在爱尔兰的初级保健机构对 AP（ n = 14）进行了半结构化访谈。这种定性评估是 CBT 游戏 Pesky gNATs 正在进行的 RCT 的一部分（O'Reilly 和 Coyle，2015 年）。使用 Braun 和 Clarke (2006) 的定性主题分析对所有数据进行了归纳分析。

结果

确定了五个总体主题：1）积极的经验，2）将讨厌的 gNAT 与传统的 CBT 相结合，3）管理父母的“买入”，4）实施的复杂性，以及 5）未来的前景。每个总体主题都报告了两个子主题：对儿童的好处、AP 专业成长、促进参与、不同的儿童特征、父母的角色不明确、儿童自主权、管理候补名单、外部因素、设计考虑和对未来 AP 的建议。

结论

讨厌的 gNAT 在初级保健领域受到 AP 的好评，并且大多数情况下对 AP 和儿童都有帮助。然而，许多因素可能会影响 AP 有效提供干预的能力。