Counseling Skills Research Articles

Counselling Knowledge and Skills in Papua New Guinea: Identifying the Gaps

This paper reports on the counselling knowledge and skills held and utilised by Papua New Guinean counsellors. Twenty-five counsellors from government and non-government sectors, representing all four regions of PNG, participated in individual in-depth interviews and video-recorded simulated counselling sessions. Counselling knowledge was assessed via content analysis of interview data that explored counselling concepts associated with the purpose and practice of counselling. Skills were assessed via the Counselling Skills and Competencies Tool. Results indicated that participants had low levels of counselling knowledge and skills. The paper outlines three key areas that should be the focus of counselling training for PNG counsellors: (1) fundamental knowledge and skills, (2) theories and frameworks for guiding the counselling process, and (3) the PNG cultural context.

Assessing Knowledge and Predicting Grief Counseling Skills Among University Counseling Center Therapists

This mixed-method study advances knowledge regarding the practice of grief counseling in a sample of 171 university counseling center therapists. First, several components of therapists’ self-reported work with grieving clients was assessed (e.g., training level, initial responses to a grieving client, principles applied in counseling, therapist comfort, and potential therapist issues related to counseling grieving clients). Second, grounded in the death competence model (Gamino & Ritter, 2012), predictors of perceived grief counseling skills were examined. Cognitive competence and emotional competence predicted perceived grief counseling skills, with training/experience being the most robust predictor. Notably, the participants in this study rarely received education regarding death, dying, and grieving in their graduate programs, and they indicated that their knowledge about grief counseling was insufficient. Moreover, the therapists’ qualitative responses to a case vignette were lacking in many grief-specific domains. Future directions for training, research, and clinical work are discussed.

Concepção em casais heterossexuais sorodiscordantes para o Vírus da imunodeficiência humana: scoping review

Objetivo: Identificar os cuidados relacionados ao processo de concepção e planejamento reprodutivo dos casais heterossexuais sorodiscordantes para o vírus da imunodeficiência humana (HIV). Métodos: Para a realização do estudo foram elencados os seis passos metodológicos da scoping review: (1) identificação da questão de pesquisa, (2) identificação de estudos relevantes (busca de estudos relevantes), (3) seleção dos estudos, (4) extração de dados, (5) separação, sumarização e relatório de resultados e (6) divulgação dos resultados. Resultados: Foi realizada uma sumarização de acordo com a natureza dos métodos, os quais foram classificados em: método de adesão às terapias antirretrovirais (TARV) com carga viral suprimida e Profilaxia Pré-exposição (PrEP) para o parceiro soronegativo, métodos naturais, métodos não naturais, habilidades dos profissionais para aconselhamento seguro de concepção para pessoas que vivem com o HIV (PVHIV). Considerações finais: Existe um alto investimento em pesquisas e aprimoramento nos últimos anos em relação a atenção a saúde das PVHIV e suas parcerias sorodiscordantes, porém, tardam a chegar a esse público, pois uma das maiores barreiras para implementação dos métodos seguros de concepção são as dificuldades dos profissionais para esses aconselhamentos.

A Study of Quality and Proficiency of the Service Providers in Delivering the Adolescent and Youth Friendly Services under the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram Programme in Madhya Pradesh

Despite existing frameworks for the improvement of adolescent reproductive health, there is a lack in provision of the Adolescent Friendly Health Services (AFHS). The primary objective of this study was to assess the quality and proficiency of service providers to deliver Adolescent Friendly Health Services (AFHS) in central India. Data was gathered by visiting 30 secondary and tertiary level health facilities to assess their infrastructure and preparedness for providing AFHS using a pre-designed questionnaire based on WHO guidelines for assessing quality. Descriptive analysis was done using SPSS v21 and Microsoft Excel. Quality of AFHS services was found to be poor in non- RKSK facilities. However the knowledge level, training status and counseling skills of the service provider was found to be highly substandard in both RKSK and Non-RKSK facilities. The RKSK program has not been properly implemented and has failed to make an impact where it was required.

Psychiatry’s Climate Reckoning: Time Is Now

Psychiatry’s Climate Reckoning: Time Is Now

A Study on Supervisor’s Perception of Intervention Plan for Counseling Adolescents Who Are Non-suicidal Self-injury

This study intended to compose a concept mapping of the case studies where supervisors supervised to explore effective intervention plan regarding the challenges faced by supervisees who counsel adolescents with NSSI behaviors. To this end, after individually interviewing seven supervisors (using focusing questions), we extracted key statement and evaluated similarity classification as well as the level of significance. And then we performed dimensional and cluster analyses on the extracted statement using the results from a multi-dimensional scale and hierarchical cluster analysis. As a result, we identified two dimensions and five clusters. And we named the clusters as the following: 1) “Understanding self-harm characteristics and establishing a support system for clients” 2) “Establishment of counselor's resource support and protection system” 3) “Self-harm search and finding concrete intervention plans” 4) “Training counseling skills for the client's self-care 5) “Structurization of counseling and the role of emotional safety mechanisms. Also, we analyzed the data on the perception of the importance of each statement.

Academic Training, Knowledge, and Perceptions of Physical Activity in Student Pharmacists.

Pharmacists are highly effective in providing chronic disease management services in both the community pharmacy and ambulatory clinic settings in large part because of their medication therapy management expertise. Lifestyle medicine, including physical activity, plays a major role in chronic disease prevention and management. As such, physical activity knowledge and counseling skills are an important component of pharmacy student education. However, the literature indicates that pharmacy students may not be receiving adequate training in these areas. The following will describe the academic training, knowledge, and perceptions of physical activity in student pharmacists.

To What Extent the Social Counselors Use Theoretical Approaches in Practicing Counselling at Schools?

This study aimed to investigate the extent of practicing counselling techniques based on theoretical background by the social counselors in the Jordanian schools. In addition, the study targeted to investigate the impact of experience, gender and educational qualification variables on the counselling process. The researchers used a questionnaire consists of 37 items in three different components; theoretical background and knowledge, integration and practical skills, and challenges. The researchers examined the reliability and validity of the questionnaire by conducting a pilot study of a small sample that contained 15 social counsellors from the study’s population. The study’s sample consisted of 347 participants from 22 directorates, which are located in the northern, the central and the southern of Jordan. The SPSS statistical package Edition 23rd was used to analyze the quantitative data in this study, and the method of analysis which is used in this analysis is descriptive statistical analysis and One and Two Way ANOVA. The results indicated that there is a lack of knowledge and understanding of counselling theories, the educational level was significant in reflecting the practicing of counselling theories and techniques. In addition, the study indicated that there are some obstacles hindering the social counsellors from practicing professional counselling skills at schools due to lack of workshops in addition to the big gap between theories and practice.

Can smoking cessation be taught online? A prospective study comparing e-learning and role-playing in medical education.

ObjectivesWe compared the effect of different didactic formats - e - learning and role-playing - on medical students' knowledge and counselling skills in smoking cessation training. MethodsAt a German medical school, 145 third-year students were randomly allocated to attend an online course with video examples or an attendance course with role-playing. Students were trained in smoking cessation counselling according to the 5A's (ask, advise, assess, assist, arrange) for approximately 90 minutes. Practical skills were measured in an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) and represent the primary endpoint of this prospective comparative study. Additionally, changes in theoretic knowledge were assessed by pre - and post - interventional questionnaires and a final written exam. ResultsIn the OSCE, overall scores were higher in the attendance group (Mdn=70.8 % vs. 62.8 %; U=119; p=.087, n=36), but a statistical advantage was only found in one single counselling sequence (“Assist”: Mdn=66.7 % vs. 51.4 %; p = .049) and the rating of the standardised patients (M=4.7 vs. 4.2 out of 5 points, t(27.836)=2.0, p=.028). Students’ results (n=130) from self-assessment and written exams suggest that both approaches are equally well suited to increase theoretical knowledge. The online course was more time efficient (90 vs. 73 minutes). ConclusionsSeminar and web-based training seem equally well suited for transferring knowledge and skills on tobacco cessation counselling. Considering their particular strengths, these two teaching approaches could be combined.

Novel genetic testing model: A collaboration between genetic counselors and nephrology.

Many barriers to genetic testing currently exist which delay or prevent diagnosis. These barriers include wait times, staffing, education, and cost. Specialists are able to identify patients with disease that may need genetic testing, but lack the genetics support to facilitate that testing in the most cost, time, and medically effective manner. The Nephrology Division and the Genetic Testing Stewardship Program at Nemours A.I. duPont Hospital for Children created a novel service delivery model in which nephrologists and genetic counselors collaborate in order to highlight their complementary strengths (clinical expertise of nephrologists and genetics and counseling skills of genetic counselors). This collaboration has reduced many barriers to care for our patients. This workflow facilitated the offering of genetic testing to 76 patients, with 86 tests completed over a 20-month period. Thirty-two tests were deferred. Twenty-seven patients received a diagnosis, which lead to a change in their medical management, three of whom were diagnosed by cascade family testing. Forty-two patients had a negative result and 16 patients had one or more variants of uncertain significance on testing. The inclusion of genetic counselors in the workflow is integral toward choosing the most cost and time effective genetic testing strategy, as well as providing psychosocial support to families. The genetic counselors obtain informed consent, and review genetic test results and recommendations with the patient and their family. The availability of this program to our patients increased access to genetic testing and helps to provide diagnoses and supportive care.

Unmet contraceptive needs among female sex workers (FSWs) in semi urban Blantyre, Malawi

BackgroundResearch has paid limited attention to understanding factors that are associated with unmet contraceptive needs among female sex workers. In order to fill this knowledge gap, we estimated the prevalence of unmet contraceptive needs and examined associated factors among FSWs in semi urban Blantyre, Malawi.MethodsWe used systematic sampling to recruit 290 female sex workers in semi urban Blantyre between February and March 2019. In this cross sectional study, we used questionnaire interviews to collect quantitative data. We calculated the mean and standard deviation for continuous variables and proportions for categorical variables to describe the data. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association between unmet needs (the outcome variable) and explanatory variables such as: having a steady partner, fear of contraceptives’ side effects and having a history of sexually transmitted infections.ResultsOut of the 290 study participants 102 (35.2%) reported unmet contraceptive needs. The following factors were significantly associated with unmet contraceptive needs in multivariate analysis: female sex workers’ history of physical and sexual violence by clients [OR 3.38, 95% CI (1.10, 10.43)], p < 0.03, participants with a steady partner [OR 3.28, 95% CI (1.89, 5.68)], p < 0.001, and participants who feared side effects of contraceptives [OR 2.99, 95% CI (1.73, 5.20)], p < 0.001.ConclusionReproductive Health services should address barriers to contraceptives use for instance: violence by female sex workers’ clients, fear and misinformation on contraceptives. There is need to improve awareness of contraceptives. Specific health promotion interventions on female sex workers engaged in a steady partnership are recommended. It is important to enhance the knowledge, attitudes, and counseling skills of health care providers in order to address unmet contraceptive needs among female sex workers in semi-urban Blantyre.Plain English summaryUnmet contraceptive needs are defined as lack of contraceptives use in heterosexually active women of childbearing age who do not wish to become pregnant. Unmet contraceptive needs are the main cause of short inter-pregnancy intervals, early childbearing, physical abuse, unintended pregnancy, poor maternal and child health outcomes. Several studies have documented low contraceptives use among female sex workers (FSWs), but research has paid limited attention to understanding factors associated with unmet contraceptive needs among this population in semi urban Blantyre Malawi.In order to fill this knowledge gap, we estimated the prevalence of unmet contraceptive needs and examined factors that were associated with unmet contraceptive needs among FSWs in semi urban Blantyre, Malawi. We recruited 290 FSWs and collected quantitative data. These data were analyzed to obtain descriptive statistics. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association between unmet contraceptive needs (the outcome variable) and explanatory variables such as: FSWs with history of physical and sexual violence by clients, having a steady partner, fear of contraceptives’ side effects and having a history of sexually transmitted infections.Out of the 290 FSWs, 35% reported unmet contraceptive needs. The following factors were significantly associated with unmet contraceptive needs in multivariate analysis: FSWs’ history of physical and sexual violence by clients, participants with a steady partner and participants who feared contraceptive side effects.Sexual and Reproductive Health services should address barriers to contraceptives use, female sex workers exposure to violence, having a steady partners and concerns about side effects. There is also a need to improve the knowledge, attitudes, and counseling skills of health providers in order to address unmet contraceptive needs among FSWs.

Evaluating the impact of a medical school cohort sexual health course on knowledge, counseling skills and sexual attitude change

BackgroundSexual health is generally considered an integral part of medical and allied healthcare professional training. However, many medical schools do not offer this as a mandatory curriculum, or minimize it. Sexual health as an academic area was introduced in the 1970s, but there have been few cohort evaluations of its impact. This was limited by the availability of few psychometric scales for evaluation. We evaluated the full, mandatory, sexual health course in year 1 medicine at a large state university in the Midwest US, including the course with lectures; panels and tutorials; a video app to give students feedback on their sexual history taking skills; and a 3-station sexual history OSCE at the end of the course.ResultsSeventy-four medical students (43% of the course cohort) volunteered, for an incentive, to complete evaluation materials pre- and post-course. We used the Sexual Health Education for Professionals Scale (SHEPS), designed and with appropriate psychometric standardization for such evaluation. The SHEPS data covers 7-point Likert scale ratings of 37 patient situations, asking first how well the student could communicate with such a patient, and on the second part how much knowledge they have to care for such a patient. The third subscale examines personal sexual attitudes and beliefs. Data indicated that the matched pretest-posttest ratings for skills and knowledge were all statistically significant and with very large effect sizes. Few of the attitude subscale items were significant and if so, had small effect sizes. Sexual attitudes and beliefs may be well-formed before entry into medical school, and sexual health teaching and learning has minimal effect on sexual attitudes in this US sample. However, using the 3 sexuality OSCE cases scores as outcomes, two of the 26 attitude-belief items predicted > 24% of the variance.ConclusionsThe sexual health course produced major changes in Communications with patients sexual health skills and Knowledge of sexual health, but little change in personal Attitudes about sexuality. These data suggest that personal attitude change is not essential for teaching US medical students to learn about sexual health and sexual function and dysfunction, and comfortably take a comprehensive sexual history.

A Multi-Modal Remote Clinical Skills Mini-Course Utilizing a Teaching TeleOSCE.

In the setting of the coronavirus pandemic, medical schools across the world transitioned to a remote learning curriculum with the challenge of developing innovative methods to teach clinical skills. During the pandemic, we designed a 2-week remote clinical skills mini-course for third year medical students. The focus was on clinical reasoning, counseling, and the following the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Core Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs): 1 (history and physical exam), 2 (prioritize a differential diagnosis), 3 (recommend and interpret diagnostic tests), and 5 (document a clinical encounter). A multi-modal approach included large and small group virtual case-based discussions, a teaching TeleOSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination), and feedback on patient note skills. Students were asked to self-assess their skills before and after the course based on the core EPAs, counseling skills, and overall preparedness for United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) Step 2 Clinical Skills exam. Students demonstrated statistically significant increases in mean self-rated scores in all areas except interpreting results of basic studies. They found the teaching TeleOSCE and feedback on their notes the most useful. Future curricula will consider integration of peer-peer remote OSCE practice sessions as well as faculty feedback for individualized learning plans. Lessons learned will be useful for remote structured clinical skills courses in the setting of the pandemic.

Training Pharmacy Students in Self-Medication Counseling Using an Objective Structured Clinical Examination-Based Approach.

Introduction:Pharmacists play an important role in ensuring the safe, effective, and rational use of drugs in self-medication. Given the potential risks of self-medication, adequate training on self-medication counseling should be provided to pharmacy students during their academic education. Objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) could be used to train pharmacy students in these skills. This study evaluated the efficacy of an OSCE-based approach for training pharmacy students in self-medication counseling and communication skills.Methods:This randomized controlled study was conducted among pharmacy students using a pre-post design. The intervention group completed OSCE-based self-medication training, while the control group collected counseling-relevant information from summaries of product characteristics of over-the-counter drugs. The counseling and communication skills of both groups before and after training were assessed by completing OSCEs. The participants completed a self-assessment questionnaire on self-confidence and self-perceived proficiency before each OSCE encounter and a satisfaction survey at the end of the seminar.Results:Students were generally satisfied with the seminar. While the OSCE-trained group demonstrated significantly greater increases in counseling skills and self-confidence and self-perceived proficiency than the control group, both groups had similar increases in communication skills.Conclusion:The present study suggests that applying OSCEs as a learning tool for self-medication counseling is beneficial for improving students’ counseling skills as well as self-confidence and self-perceived proficiency. These results support the inclusion of OSCEs in pharmacy education and highlight its potential to bridge gaps between knowledge and practice.

A Preclinical Medical School Curriculum on Firearm Violence to Develop Patient Counseling and Foundational Health Policy Skills

ABSTRACT Background Firearm violence is a unique public health crisis in the USA (US). A majority of U.S. physicians believe they should discuss firearm safety with patients. However, little education on firearm injury prevention and counseling exists in medical school. We sought to address this gap by creating a curriculum on firearm violence as a part of a required preclinical medical school course focused on health policy issues. Methods The Kerns 6-step model for curriculum development was used to define the problem and assess learner needs. The two-hour small group session was co-authored by a student and faculty member to address the course theme of health policy as applied to firearm violence. The Issue-Attention Cycle, history of firearm policy, and US politics were incorporated from published literature, with a patient counseling role-play added in 2019. Results The ‘Current Case in Health Policy – Firearm Violence’ small group was implemented in 2018 and 2019 for all first-year medical students. Of the 2018 student evaluations, 57% selected this small group as the most valuable in the course. In a follow-up survey in 2020, 78% of the respondents agreed that they felt more confident counseling patients on firearm safety following the role-play. Conclusion Students broadly endorsed the incorporation of firearm policy and counseling skills into medical education. This curriculum can be adapted for learners at all stages of training, especially given the limited exposure to this topic in medical education.

Тестирование и консультирование по вопросам ВИЧ-инфекции: некоторые аспекты проблемы

The aim of the study was to analyze the attitude of the population to HIV testing and counseling and the frequency of testing-related counseling in a sample of the population of Kazan. Materials. An anonymous survey of various groups of the population permanently residing in the city of Kazan (n=301) was conducted using a questionnaire developed by us. The study involved 58.1% of women (175/301), 41.9% of men (126/301). Results. Most of the respondents had experience of undergoing HIV testing (95%, 286/301). Only 92 people out of 286 (32.2%) were examined on their own initiative. HIV testing was mainly carried out in the polyclinic at the place of residence/stay (66.8%, 191/286), while counseling, according to respondents, was carried out only in 16.20% of respondents (31/191). Conclusions. It is important to conduct a high-quality procedure of pre-and post-test counseling in the conditions of primary health care. It is necessary to train the medical staff of the polyclinic level in the skills of counseling on epidemiology and prevention of HIV infection.

Importance of Teaching Counselling Skills to Teachers

The Intent Of This Paper Is Not To Equip Teachers With The Background Or The Skills To Act As The School Counsellor Or Psychologist But, To Make Everyone Aware That In India Only A Limited Number Of Schools Have Counsellors. The Knowledge Of Counselling Skills Is Essential For Teachers To Promote Student Learning And Well-being. Teachers Can Play A Key Role In Resolving Student Issues And Concerns. The Classroom Teacher Spends More Time With Students Than Any Other Professional In The School And Is Thus Most Likely To Influence Students. They Are The Ones, After All, Who Interact With Children On A Daily Basis. If A Child Is Going To Approach An Adult For Assistance Or Advice, It Will Probably Be The Teacher Whom He/she Has Come To Trust Over Many Hours Of Work And Play Together. The Major Skills Of Counselling That Can Be Included Are Competence, Acceptance And Flexibility, Integrity, Sensitivity, Listening, Empathy, Confidentiality And Understanding.

Mini-clinical evaluation exercise as a tool for formative assessment of postgraduates in psychiatry

Context:Introduction of competency-based medical education in India has necessitated a diversion from traditional methods of teaching and assessment.Aim:The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of mini-clinical evaluation exercise (mini-CEX) as a tool for formative assessment of postgraduates in psychiatry at our institute.Settings and Design:It was a prospective, quasi-experimental study carried out in the Department of Psychiatry, PGIMS, Rohtak (India).Materials and Methods:After obtaining written informed consent, trainees (18) were sensitized and faculty members (5) were trained to use mini-CEX and regarding the feedback process with the help of workshops.Statistical Analysis Used:Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Mean differences between the sessions were assessed using a paired sample t-test. P < 0.05 was considered as level of significance.Results:Statistically significant difference was found between session 1 and session 6 for counseling skills but not for three sessions of diagnostic skills. Mini-CEX was accepted as a better learning method by 61% of the postgraduates, 36% felt that it improved their clinical skills, 64% reported a boost in their confidence, and 89% looked forward to these encounters. Majority of the postgraduates and faculty members suggested that the mini-CEX should be regularly used in academic settings and should be introduced early in the training.Conclusions:Mini-CEX is a feasible formative assessment tool for postgraduates in psychiatry and an effective method of learning by the postgraduates, inducing a significant improvement in the counseling skills of students. Teaching faculty also accepted mini-CEX as an effective method of formative assessment.

Genetic counseling and predictive testing for hereditary neuromuscular diseases

Recent progress in genetic analysis can provide a precision diagnosis for many hereditary neuromuscular diseases in daily practice. Moreover, disease-modifying therapies such as nucleic acid medicine for patients with several neuromuscular diseases (i.e., hereditary ATTR amyloidosis, spinal muscular atrophy, and Duchenne muscular dystrophy) have been approved in Japan. For all neurologists, knowledge and practical skills of genetic counseling, especially predictive testing, will increase in importance. To promote personalized medicine for patients with neuromuscular diseases and their families, it is necessary to develop of genetic counseling systems, including nurturing genetic professionals.

Combating vaccine hesitancy: A call to implement healthcare worker training in patient counseling skills

Combating vaccine hesitancy: A call to implement healthcare worker training in patient counseling skills