1 - (SYM 17) Improving Efficiency, Access and Ease of Implementation for Evidence-based Treatments: Findings from Internet-based Cognitive Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder in Hong Kong

Abstract Body
The use of the internet and digital technologies to support treatment has significant potential for making evidence-based treatments more accessible and available across different countries and cultural contexts. This presentation will introduce an internet-delivered version of cognitive therapy for social anxiety disorder (iCT-SAD), that faithfully reproduces the techniques and procedures of the face-to-face protocol that is based on the Clark and Wells (1995) cognitive model. 

It will outline the development and features of this internet programme, and describe the results of a UK randomised controlled trial comparing this against face-to-face treatment delivery. This trial highlights the ability of the iCT-SAD programme to deliver effective outcomes in much less therapist time, making it a viable route to improve treatment efficiency. 

We will then describe the approach taken to implementing and evaluating iCT-SAD in Hong Kong, beginning with an English-language randomised controlled trial against waitlist, and presenting the preliminary results of a subsequent ongoing noninferiority trial that compares standard therapist-delivered iCT-SAD with a minimally modified version that is supported by trained graduate-level coaches. This will include discussion of the development of the coach-delivered version and coach training procedures. If the coach-delivered version of iCT-SAD is found to be efficacious, it may offer a further route to increase the efficiency and implementation of evidence-based treatment for social anxiety to meet local demand in Hong Kong.