Enhancing confidence in evidence-based psychological trauma care and implementation research: training program for clinicians in Ukraine

Since the Russian invasion in February 2022, millions of Ukrainians have been exposed to war-related trauma, with projections indicating hundreds of thousands of individuals will develop debilitating trauma/stressor-related disorders. Ukraine faces a critical shortage of mental health professionals trained in evidence-based care (EBC) for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and even fewer with expertise in implementation research. This study examined changes in clinicians’ confidence in implementing evidence-based trauma care and conducting implementation research following a comprehensive training program. Forty-one Ukrainian mental health professionals attended a five-day training workshop in Lviv, Ukraine, covering evidence-based PTSD treatments and implementation research frameworks. Participants completed pre- and post-training surveys that assessed their confidence levels and perceived barriers. Data was analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-ranks tests, multiple regression, and thematic analysis. Participants demonstrated significant increases in confidence in both implementing evidence-based trauma care and conducting implementation research. Training efficacy was independent of professional background and years of experience. Thematic analysis identified key barriers to implementing EBC and in conducting implementation research. Findings highlight the need for continued effort to address the identified barriers to adapting EBC in a Ukrainian context. This training model may serve as a foundation for developing a sustainable mental health workforce capable of addressing the severe trauma burden in Ukraine.