"Hvis vi skal ha en helsetjeneste som virker for alle, må vi jo ha ledere som vet hva de gjør". Betydningen av opplæring og veiledning av ledere for implementeringen av kunnskapsbaserte metoder forPTSD i psykisk helsevern

Despite much research and knowledge about effective interventions in mental health care, there is still agap between knowledge and practice, often referred to as “the evidence-practice gap.” Both researchersand the field of practice have called for knowledge on implementation to reduce this gap. Furthermore,leadership has been sees as central to achieving implementation. Leadership and Organizational Changefor Implementation (LOCI) is an implementation strategy developed in the USA to enable leaders in thehealth care sector to effectively implement evidence-based practices.The purpose of this study is to see if LOCI is an effective implementation strategy in mental health care inNorway. To elucidate this issue, I have used implementation theory and theory on strategic leadershipbehavior to see if LOCI has helped leaders use leadership in a way that has helped them inimplementation. I have also used studies done by leadership development and how to measure the effectof it, as a framework for my analysis. My data was collected through semi-structured interviews of 12leaders in child and adult psychiatry who had participated in LOCI for a period of one year.In summary, this study indicates that LOCI can be an effective implementation strategy in mental healthcare. The strategy was perceived as useful to the leaders. The findings of the study may indicate thatleaders learned about implementation and leadership and got help to apply the knowledge in practicethrough regular guidance. The findings further indicate that this helped to develop a strategic climate forimplementation in the clinics