Clinic-Level Predictors of Psychotherapy Dosage in the Military Health System

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to describe the demand for, supply of, and clinic processes associated with behavioral health care delivery in the Military Health System and to examine the clinic-level factors associated with receipt of a minimally adequate dosage of psychotherapy.

Methods: This retrospective study used administrative behavioral health data from eight military treatment facilities (N=25,433 patients; N=241,028 encounters) that were participating in a larger implementation study of evidence-based psychotherapy for posttraumatic stress disorder. Minimally adequate dosage of psychotherapy was defined in two ways: at least three sessions within a 90-day period and at least six sessions within a 90-day period. The authors then used a path model to examine clinic-level factors hypothesized to predict psychotherapy dosage, including care demand, supply, and processes.

Results: Patients had an average of 2.5 psychotherapy appointments per quarter. Wait times for intake, between intake and the first psychotherapy session, and between follow-up sessions all averaged 17 days or longer. Path modeling showed that a higher patient-to-encounter ratio was associated with a longer wait time between follow-up psychotherapy appointments. In turn, a longer wait time between appointments was associated with a lower probability of receiving an adequate dosage of psychotherapy. However, a greater proportion of care delivered in groups was associated with a greater probability of receiving at least six sessions of psychotherapy.

Conclusions: Receipt of a minimally adequate dosage of psychotherapy in the Military Health System is hindered by clinic staffing and workflows that increase wait times between follow-up psychotherapy appointments.

Keywords: mental health systems/hospitals; military health; psychotherapy.