Referral Training and eGen Trials

Summary

Child and adolescent behavioral health problems are related to the leading causes of youth morbidity and mortality. Parent-focused interventions effectively prevent behavioral health problems such as depression and conduct disorders and can provide a downstream economic benefit to society by reducing criminal activity, education costs, and health care use.

Unfortunately, parenting programs are not widely available, accessible, nor well-attended.

Pediatric primary care is a non-stigmatizing setting with nearly universal reach and, therefore, an ideal contact point to increase access. However, primary care clinicians (PCCs) often have insufficient training in behavioral health topics and typical referral practices are inadequate.

There are also logistical barriers to attending in-person parenting programs, like the need for childcare and a large time-commitment. There is a need to develop effective referral practices in conjunction with increasing the accessibility of parenting programs. The study long-term goal is to prevent significant behavioral health problems through widespread access to effective and accessible parenting programs through primary care referrals.

In this study there are two trials: First is the primary care clinicians "PCC" trial, testing the effectiveness of referral training (aim 1). Second is the parents "eGen" trial provided by therapists, testing the effectiveness of eGen parenting intervention (aim 2).

Conditions

• Behavioral Problem
• Behavioral Problem of Child

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Referral and communication skills learning

assigned to receive a brief, live, experiential training on the referral process and communication strategies.

BEHAVIORAL

Written guide to the referral process

assigned to receive only written information about the referral process

BEHAVIORAL

Empowered Generations (eGen): parent training

eGen is a six-session parent training program provided by therapists via video chat online to parents with a child between the ages of 3-8 years.

BEHAVIORAL

control

The control condition consists of a single scripted session, in which therapists guide the parent to the following resources: (a) a book, Raising Cooperative Kids, by GenPMTO co-developer Marion Forgatch; (b) vetted parenting advice websites; (c) information about Early Childhood and Family Education classes, which are provided for free in Minnesota through public schools; and (d) a list of culturally tailored parenting advice websites.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Minnesota

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Christopher J Mehus · University of Minnesota

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

100 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-01-17

Primary Completion

2028-11-01

Completion

2030-11-01

Countries

• United States

Study Locations