Evaluating the effectiveness of multimodal psychotherapy training program for medical students in China: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Providing evidence-based, well-designed psychotherapy teaching for medical students and residents is urgently needed. OBJECTIVE The aim of this project is to measure the effectiveness of a new multimodal psychotherapy teaching program for medical students and residents in China. METHODS This study will be a two-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT). The intervention group will receive a two-day multimodal-based intensive educational intervention with 8 weeks follow-up (supervision-based online teaching). The wait-list control group will not receive the intervention until the end of the study. Both groups will be followed up for 8 weeks. This trial will be conducted at the Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital. This study aims to recruit about 160 medical students and residents, with approximately 80 in each group. RESULTS The primary outcome measure is the changes in the Facilitative Interpersonal Skills task (FIS) scores. Secondary outcome measures include: training program acceptability; trainees’ psychotherapy knowledge; utilization of psychotherapy; and self-reported self-efficacy and self-reported motivation for psychotherapy. CONCLUSIONS If this CBT-based brief and short-term psychotherapy skill training program is proven effective, the mental health impact of its nationwide expansion could be enormous.