MTB-HV Evaluation & Fidelity/Quality Assurance
Evaluation Research
MTB services in Denmark are being evaluated through an independent Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT). For information about the RCT, please contact Maiken Pontoppidan at mpo@vive.dk or Bjarke Nielsen at bjarke@metodecentret.dk. For information about MTB evaluation research conducted at Yale in Connecticut, please send an e-mail to mindingthebaby@yale.edu.
Treatment Fidelity Monitoring and Quality Assurance (QA)
As a federally designated evidence-based home visitation model, MTB-HV is most effective in improving health and mental health outcomes when fidelity to the model is achieved. In order for the intervention to be rigorously conducted and replicated, treatment fidelity must be maintained and monitored. It is important to follow standardized approaches to monitor the work with young mothers, so that in all replication activities, the fidelity of the clinical intervention is ensured within the realities of constantly changing clinical and community environments.
For implementation purposes, MTB-HV treatment fidelity is measured, monitored, and enhanced across four domains (design, training, delivery, and receipt/enactment). To fully monitor the intervention, the steps listed below must be followed. Refer to the MTB DK Train-the-Trainer Manual and MTB-HV QA forms for more on fidelity requirements.
- Base home visitation intervention on the most recent version of the MTB treatment manual, provided with initial training delivered by MTB National Office faculty and staff.
- Train clinicians thoroughly on the model, following the replication phases required by the MTB National Office.
- Provide ongoing joint (nursing and mental health) supervision and discussion of the intervention among clinicians and research staff.
- Monitor the program through assessment and calculation of dosage for each home visit, as well as for combined and total number of visits.
- Interview clinicians and subjects to determine effectiveness and program satisfaction, especially with respect to each mother having relationships with both members of the home visitation team.
A Quality Assurance (QA)/Fidelity Monitoring Plan has been developed specifically for implementation in Denmark. Additional information and an outline of this plan is available here.