In 2026, the article “A Program Theory for a Continuing Professional Development Program to Enhance Primary Care Nurses’ Mental Health Assessment Practices” was published. Ariane Girard, a researcher involved with the Unité de soutien SSA Québec in the PATIenTS program, is a co-author.
- Ariane Girard
- Marie-Hélène Lemée
- Sarah Lafontaine
- Jean-Daniel Carrier
- Marie-France Langlois
- Hélène Clabault
- Luz Piedad Arroyave
- Joanie Gagné
Girard A, Lemée M-H, Lafontaine S, Carrier J-D, Langlois M-F, Clabault H, Arroyave LP and Gagné J (2026) A program theory for a continuing professional development program to enhance primary care nurses’ mental health assessment practices. Front. Health Serv. 6:1887809. doi: 10.3389/frhs.2026.1887809
Context
Primary care nurses play a key role in identifying and responding to mental health needs, yet often report limited confidence and support in conducting assessments. A CPD program grounded in reflective practice and clinical supervision was co-created to address these gaps. Program design included a program theory representing the selected training processes and their expected outcomes.
Design:
Theory-driven evaluation using relevancy testing with a mixed-methods approach.
Method
Data collection included questionnaires based on the Ability, Motivation and Opportunity (AMO) framework at baseline, post-training, and 4–6 months follow-up; semi-structured interviews; observational field notes; and a logbook. Research team members analyzed qualitative data thematically and quantitative data descriptively.
Results
Fourteen primary care nurses from two healthcare centres in Quebec participated (n = 13 completed). The program enhanced nurses’ ability (knowledge, skills), motivation (confidence and professional engagement), and perceived opportunities at the individual level. Participants reported integrating new practices, including systematic screening, goal-setting, and follow-up, indicating behavioural change. Results suggest reflective and clinical supervision mechanisms that may have explained these outcomes and that enrich the initial CPD program theory.
Conclusion
A CPD program integrating reflective practice and clinical supervision can strengthen conditions for evidence-based mental health assessment in primary care. Sustained practice change, however, requires alignment with organizational support processes.
Improving practices and service pathways for people with common mental disorders in primary care: the RUISSS Université de Sherbrooke activates the PATIenTS program
As part of the PATIenTS program, the RUISSS Université de Sherbrooke is launching its project to support the reinforcement of the trajectory of services for people with common mental disorders in primary care (Projet SoutienTMC).