Working alliance and its relationship with treatment outcome

Abstract

Introduction

The therapeutic alliance might be the most important part of beginning clinical relationship and may have an important impact in treatment adherence. In fact, many studies indicate that the therapeutic alliance is the best predictor of treatment outcome.

Objectives

To assess clinical skills and attitudes in mental health professionals(MHP).

Aims

This study explore the impact of clinical skills and socio-demographic factors related MHP may have on treatment adherence of patients with mental health disorders (MHD).

Methods

In this cross sectional study, we use a convenience sample of MHP working in the mental health departments of three general hospitals in Lisbon great area. Data is being collected through individual interviews. We used a optimism scale (ETOS), Medication Alliance Beliefs Questionnaire (MABQ), and socio-demographic and clinical questionnaire.

Results

A convenience sample composed of sixty-five mental health clinician working in a variety of settings is being collected. We don’t found statistically significant differences between the therapeutic optimism and the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of MHP. The average values of optimism found in MHP with additional training in skills training it was higher (t test = 1,64). The results demonstrate that the most of clinicians (n = 42; agree 64,6%; strongly agree, n = 19; 29,2%) believe that have the capacity to positively influence outcomes for people with mental disorders.

Conclusion

This topic, along with a detailed examination of the relationship between therapeutic alliance and treatment adherence, will be the subject of future research projects.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.