Dr Peter Kelly
University of Wollongong, NSW
Mental Health Research Grant 2011 and 2012
Dr Peter Kelly is a lecturer (clinical psychology) at the University of Wollongong. His PhD was part of an NHMRC funded project that aimed to improve clinical outcomes for individuals diagnosed with severe mental illness (i.e. Schizophrenia, Bi-polar disorder). He was awarded the Outstanding Research Student Award by the University of Wollongong School Of Psychology in recognition of the high quality of his doctoral thesis. To date 7 peer reviewed journal articles have been accepted for publication from his doctoral thesis, with the results also presented at local, national and international conferences. Dr Kelly has had a long involvement in the substance abuse field. His current research program is focused on improving outcomes for individuals diagnosed with both substance abuse and mental health problems. Prior to completing his PhD, Dr Kelly was previously employed as the Chief Executive Officer at Kedesh Rehabilitation Services. Kedesh is a large organisation that provides both residential and outpatient treatment for individuals diagnosed with substance abuse problems and co-occurring mental health disorders. He was also employed by Illawarra Health to manage the outpatient substance abuse services (e.g. adult, adolescent, substance use in pregnancy, home detoxification) provided within the Illawarra region. Dr Kelly is a registered Clinical Psychologist and has been awarded membership of the Australian Psychological Society Collage of Clinical Psychologists.
SUMMARY OF PROJECT:
Improving co-morbidity treatment within residential substance abuse: A randomised trial of a computer-based depression and substance abuse intervention.
It is extremely common for individuals with substance abuse disorders to also have co-occurring mental health problems. Approximately 60% of participants at Australian residential rehabilitation services report a previous mental health diagnosis, with depressive disorders being the most common. Unfortunately, individuals with co-occurring mental health problems typically have a poorer treatment response and higher rates of relapse. Integrated treatment approaches are recommended for residential substance abuse programs, where both the person’s substance abuse and co-occurring mental health problems are concurrently addressed. However, the majority of residential substance abuse services still primarily target the person’s substance abuse problems.
One approach to improve treatment is to utilise computer-based self-help programs. Benefits of computer-based approaches to residential settings include: a) the low costs associated with delivering the intervention; b) it doesn’t require additional staff members or training; and c) participants can continue to access the program should they leave the facility early. There is a growing body of literature supporting the usefulness of computer delivered interventions for mental health problems. Additionally, computer-based interventions have been recommended as a way to improve the use of evidence based approaches within routine care. However, only limited controlled dissemination research has been conducted in this area.
The aim of the present study is to examine the effectiveness of using a computer delivered comorbidity treatment program for individuals attending long-term residential substance abuse programs. The study will be conducted as a real-world randomized trial, where the Treatment Condition will complete the computer-delivered intervention in addition to treatment as usual. This is the first study to examine the usefulness of a computer based comorbidity intervention within a residential substance abuse setting. If the program proves to be effective it will continue to be offered to all participants who enter The Salvation Army residential substance abuse services across New South Wales, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory (500 beds, approximately 1600 admissions a year).