Evaluating a stepped care model of psychological support for adults affected by adversity: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial in Jordan.

BACKGROUND

The burden of common mental disorders in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) is growing with little known about how to allocate limited resources to reach the greatest number of people undergoing instances of significant psychological distress. We present a study protocol for a multicentre, parallel-group, superiority, randomised controlled trial.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Adults with significant psychological distress (K10 score ≥20) will be randomised to receive a stepped care programme involving a self-guided course (

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This will be the first randomised controlled trial to assess the benefits of a stepped model of care to addressing psychological distress in a LMIC setting. Results will provide important insights for managing limited resources to mental healthcare in these settings and will be accordingly disseminated to service providers and organisations via professional training and meetings, and via publication in relevant journals and conference presentations. We will also present these findings to the Jordanian Ministry of Health, where this institute will guide us on the most appropriate format for communication of findings, including written reports, verbal presentations and/or brochures. Ethical approval was obtained from the University of Jordan School of Nursing Research Ethics Committee (number: PF.22.10).

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ACTRN12621000189820p; Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry.

Informations de copyright

© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

Competing interests: None declared.