Is it possible to provide low-intensity cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT Lite) in Canada without additional costs to the health system? First-year evaluation of a pilot CBT Lite program

摘要

There is a scarcity of publicly funded Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) programs in Canada. The evidence-based psychological services can not only reduce the burden of disease, but such services can also potentially pay for themselves. We ran a pilot project of a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Low InTEnsity (CBT Lite) which was delivered by the front line workers in a community mental health organization. Low intensity CBT was provided for non-psychotic disorders after a short period of training, under regular supervision and within 6 to 10 sessions to clients attending a community mental health organization in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Analyses were conducted using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) v21. We had a high rate of referrals. The dropout rates were low. We provided low intensity CBT to 47 persons. Statistically, significant differences were noted in post-treatment measures of psychopathology (P=0.000), anxiety {P = 0.000), depression (P = 0.000) and disability (P = 0.000). A majority of clients were exited from the service (27/47) after completion of the program. None of the attendees returned with a relapse during the study period. The average number of work days by the group increased from 1.5 to 3.53 {P = 0.000). We estimate that an input of CAD $1 would return more than CAD $3 per annum into the national economy. The results of this pilot, CBT Lite program, suggests that it is possible to provide low-intensity CBT by adding resources to the existing health system. Such program will not only cover its costs; it will further add to the national economy.