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A New Engagement Strategy in a VA-Based Family Psychoeducation Program

Dr. Sherman, Dr. Bowling, Ms. Ridener, and Ms. Harrison are affiliated with the Department of Psychology, Oklahoma City Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, 921 N.E. 13th St. (116A), Oklahoma City, OK 73104 (e-mail: michelle.sherman{at}va.gov). Dr. Fischer is with the South Central Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, and the Department of Psychiatry, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock. Dr. Dixon is with the VA Capitol Health Care Network MIRECC, Baltimore, and the Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore.

OBJECTIVE: This brief report describes the engagement strategy used in the Reaching out to Educate and Assist Caring, Healthy Families (REACH) program, a nine-month family psychoeducation program for veterans with serious mental illness or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). METHODS: A motivational interviewing-based strategy was created and implemented in a Veterans Affairs hospital to engage providers and veterans and their families into the intervention. RESULTS: Of the 1,539 veterans told about the program, 41% had a family member living nearby and were willing to meet with a provider to learn more. REACH providers met with 505 veterans for a motivational-interviewing session to explore family participation. Of the 436 veterans who were eligible to participate in REACH, 28% of veterans with PTSD, 34% of veterans with an affective disorder, and 25% of veterans with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder went on to participate in at least one session of the REACH program with a family member; these rates compare favorably with those for programs requiring a much shorter commitment. CONCLUSIONS: This engagement strategy shows promise as an effective tool in recruiting veterans and their families into family psychoeducation.

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