Clinician Competencies and Training Needs for Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders: Survey of Australian Mental Health Clinicians

Objective Despite occurring in 9.5% of the population, obsessive-compulsive and related disorders (OCRDs) are under-diagnosed and under-treated. The current study assessed clinicians’ self-reported competencies in the assessment and treatment of OCRDs, and clinician training needs, against best-practice clinical guidelines. Method Two hundred (N = 200) public mental health clinicians across the state of New South Wales, Australia, were surveyed on their competencies in screening, diagnosing, and treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), body dysmorphic disorder, Tourette syndrome, excoriation disorder, hoarding disorder, and trichotillomania. Results Most (64%) clinicians reported currently treating patients with OCRDs, yet 74% self-identified as not competent treating at least one OCRD, particularly for disorders other than OCD. Clinicians reporting screening for OCRDs even some of the time also reported more OCRD patients in their caseload. Practical and systemic constraints within services were common barriers to implementation of evidence-based practice, but clinicians desired more training and supervision. Conclusions There are critical gaps in the readiness of public mental health clinicians to assess and treat OCRDs in line with best-practice guidelines. Targeted investment in workforce development, paired with systemic implementation support, can bridge the gap between evidence and practice to deliver best-practice treatment for OCRDs in public mental health services.