Satisfaction and Acceptability of an Online Consultation and Networking Platform for Youth Mental Health Providers: A Mixed-Method Study

Background and Purpose: Despite the high burden of youth mental health issues, a gap exists in providing evidence-based practices (EBPs) within community mental health care settings. While research suggests information and education alone do not have a lasting impact on provider delivery of EBPs, there is also a lack of provider consultation and networking to support the implementation and sustainability of evidence-based care. The Internet-Based Consultation and Networking (i-CAN) platform was developed as an implementation strategy using a commercial off-the-shelf product (Slack) to facilitate support and consultation among mental health providers. Rooted in the theory of planned behavior (Ajzen, 2011), i-CAN targets provider attitudes, normative beliefs, and self-efficacy specifically related to utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy to treat youth anxiety.

Methods: Data for this study came from a parent RCT of i-CAN that occurred between 2023 and 2025 with youth mental health providers in Alabama. This convergent mixed-method study uses qualitative and quantitative data only from participants who were randomized to the i-CAN arm (n=53), which lasted 18 weeks. Satisfaction was assessed at 6, 12, and 18 weeks after beginning i-CAN with a questionnaire created for this study. Satisfaction questions included four open-ended questions (i.e. “what you found most useful in i-CAN”) and six survey questions (i.e. “rate how much i-CAN has impacted your clinical work”). All survey items were ranked from 1-5 with higher scores indicating greater satisfaction. A mixed effect model was used to estimate trends in satisfaction items. In-depth interviews were conducted with a purposively sampled of participants (n=8) from the i-CAN arm. Thematic analysis was conducted on verbatim transcripts of the four open-ended questions and in-depth interview transcripts and used to triangulate survey findings.

Results: Results demonstrate overall medium-to-high provider satisfaction of i-CAN with average scores ranging between 3.5 to 4.5, with generally no changes over time. A significant upward trend was reported with more participants indicating they would “recommend i-CAN to a colleague” (p=.030). Qualitative results supported the positive satisfaction scores, indicating most providers found i-CAN useful and that it increased their openness to EBPs. In particular, providers appreciated the sharing therapeutic resources and the opportunity to connect with peers. Providers also expressed challenges in using i-CAN such as time constraints, difficulties navigating the technology, and some confusion over what was expected of them as participants.

Conclusion and Implications: This study fills a critical gap in strategies to promote the use of evidence-based interventions among youth mental health providers. Findings from this mixed-methods satisfaction and acceptability study reveal the interest in and need for online platforms such as i-CAN, as well as the desire for more peer connection and opportunities to practice skills. Future research should examine the use of online platforms with other types of interventions and/or provider communities to expand reach of resources and networking to promote evidence-based interventions, particularly in low service areas.