Adapting TeamSTEPPS for school mental health teams: a pilot study

Summary

School mental healthcare often is provided by teams contracted from community mental health agencies. The team members that provide this care, however, do not typically receive training in how to work effectively in a team-based context. Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety (TeamSTEPPS) provides a promising, evidence-based strategy for improving communication and climate in school-based teams. 

The authors of this study adapted and piloted TeamSTEPPS for use with school mental health teams. TeamSTEPPS was feasible and acceptable to implement, and leadership emerged as an important facilitator. Barriers to implementation success included staff turnover, lack of resources, and challenges in the school mental health team relationship. 

Results suggest that TeamSTEPPS is promising for school mental health teams but additional modifications are likely needed.