Interactive Training Program Research Articles

Implementing an Audience-Specific Small-Group Gatekeeper Training Program to Respond to Suicide Risk Among College Students: A Case Study

Objective: This case study evaluated the effectiveness of an audience-specific, single-session, small-group interactive gatekeeper training program conducted at a large northeastern public university. Participants: Participants were 335 faculty, staff, and students completing gatekeeper training programs tailored to their group needs. Methods: Baseline assessments of knowledge about suicide, risk factors, resources for assistance, and comfort in intervening with a student in distress were administered to participants prior to the small-group training sessions; posttest assessments of knowledge and comfort in intervening with students in distress were administered upon completion of training and at 3-month follow-up. Results: There was a statistically significant increase in knowledge and comfort upon completion of training for both faculty/staff and student groups, although degradation of training effects at 3-month follow-up was evident. Conclusions: There are benefits associated with the implementation of audience-specific gatekeeper training programs. Booster training sessions to address skill degradation over time are recommended.

Does delivery of a training program for healthcare professionals increase access to pulmonary rehabilitation and improve outcomes for people with chronic lung disease in rural and remote Australia?

Access to pulmonary rehabilitation (PR), an effective management strategy for people with chronic respiratory disease, is often limited particularly in rural and remote regions. Difficulties with establishment and maintenance of PR have been reported. Reasons may include a lack of adequately trained staff. There have been no published reports evaluating the impact of training programs on PR provision. The aim of this project was to evaluate the impact of an interactive training and support program for healthcare professionals (the Breathe Easy, Walk Easy (BEWE) program) on the delivery of PR in rural and remote regions. The study was a quasi-experimental before-after design. Data were collected regarding the provision of PR services before and after delivery of the BEWE program and patient outcomes before and after PR. The BEWE program was delivered in one rural and one remote region. Neither region had active PR before the BEWE program delivery. At 12-month follow-up, three locally-run PR programs had been established. Audit and patient outcomes indicated that the PR programs established broadly met Australian practice recommendations and were being delivered effectively. In both regions PR was established with strong healthcare organisational support but without significant external funding, relying instead on the diversion of internal funding and/or in-kind support. The BEWE program enabled the successful establishment of PR and improved patient outcomes in rural and remote regions. However, given the funding models used, the sustainability of these programs in the long term is unknown. Further research into the factors contributing to the ability of rural and remote sites to provide ongoing delivery of PR is required.

Randomized Trial of Two e–Learning Programs for Oral Health Students on Secondary Prevention of Eating Disorders

The purpose of this study was to test whether an interactive, web-based training program is more effective than an existing, flat-text, e-learning program at improving oral health students' knowledge, motivation, and self-efficacy to address signs of disordered eating behaviors with patients. Eighteen oral health classes of dental and dental hygiene students were randomized to either the Intervention (interactive program; n=259) or Alternative (existing program; n=58) conditions. Hierarchical linear modeling assessed for posttest differences between groups while controlling for baseline measures. Improvement among Intervention participants was superior to those who completed the Alternative program for three of the six outcomes: benefits/barriers, self-efficacy, and skills-based knowledge (effect sizes ranging from 0.43 to 0.87). This study thus suggests that interactive training programs may be better than flat-text e-learning programs for improving the skills-based knowledge and self-efficacy necessary for behavior change.

Connecting collections and cultures by creating a community of children's librarians around early literacy storytimes

Communities of practice are important tools for professional development, encouraging peer-to-peer learning and knowledge creation. This study, which is part of a three-year Institute for Museum and Library Services National Leadership Research Grant, examined children's librarians’ perceptions of a community of practice they created during an extended online, interactive training program. The librarians shared both positive and negative perceptions of the community that was created during the training. Through the interviews it became apparent that while creating a community of practice the librarians made connections between their collections and shared their library cultures.

The Principle-centered Process Consultant Working in Schools Today

Abstract The interactive training program reported in this study is a principle-centered program concentrates on developing consultants who engage with clients in principle driven client centered deliberative communicative ways. This study reports the findings of a preliminary investigation involving 13 senior staff who completed ‘The art and science of authentic helpfulness; an interactive consultancy. This training was part of their professional development agenda in the primary and secondary schools in Warragul (Diocese of Sale, Victoria). Respondents were asked to complete a 14 question online survey specific to their perceptions and observations of (1) the impact of PCPC when working with clients; (2) the impact on clients when using PCPC. An independent sample t-test observed that no significant difference between Diocesan consultant (M=3.70, SD =1.16) and School based personnel (M=4.33, SD=.58) when rating their overall effectiveness on PCPC, t(11)=-.89, p>.05. A one way ANOVA observed no significant difference when comparing the year participants completed the program and the time they have worked in the field as consultants (2010: M=5.00, SD=.00, 2011: M=3.57, SD=1.13, 2012: M=3.85, SD=.96), F(2,10)=1.54, p>.05. Findings were positive with 31% of respondents indicating that PCPC always influences the way they view clients and their practice as consultants when working with clients. 38% indicated that PCPC processes often enables them to be more effective when working with clients; 46% reported PCPC sometimes helps them develop more power in their client-counsellor partnerships. 62% acknowledged that client empowerment is often evident when using PCPC and that there is often evidence of change in perception of clients, and client ownership for the problem of initiative being processed during PCPC.

Improving the end-of-life for people with dementia living in a care home: an intervention study

One in three adults, most of whom are living in a care home at the time, dies with dementia. Their end-of-life is often in hospital, where they may experience uncomfortable interventions without known benefit and die rapidly with uncontrolled pain and comfort needs. This study aimed to improve end-of-life care for people with dementia in a care home by increasing the number and implementation of advanced care wishes. We recruited staff, residents with dementia, and their relatives from a 120-bed nursing home in London, UK. The intervention was a ten-session manualized, interactive staff training program. We compared advance care wishes documentation and implementation, place of death for residents who died, and themes from staff and family carers' after-death interviews pre- and post-intervention. Post-intervention there were significant increases in documented advance care wishes arising from residents' and relatives' discussions with staff about end-of-life. These included do not resuscitate orders (16/22, 73% vs. 4/28, 14%; p < 0.001); and dying in the care homes as opposed to hospital (22/29, 76% vs. 14/30, 47%; p < 0.02). Bereaved relatives overall satisfaction increased from 7.5 (SD = 1.3) pre-intervention to 9.1 (SD = 2.4) post-intervention; t = 17.6, p = 0.06. Relatives reported increased consultation and satisfaction about decisions. Staff members were more confident about end-of-life planning and implementing advanced wishes. This small non-randomized study is the first end-of-life care in dementia intervention to report an increase in family satisfaction with a reduction in hospital deaths. This is promising but requires further evaluation in diverse care homes.

KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES ABOUT ADVANCE CARE PLANNING AMONGST AN OLDER ADULT POPULATION LIVING IN SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND

BackgroundThe introduction of Advance Care Planning (ACP) in the hospital context when people are ‘vulnerable and unwell’ is challenging. The ‘Creating pathways to advance care planning: empowering the health consumer’...

General practitioners’ knowledge gaps regarding age related macular degeneration and effectiveness of their e-learning training

Objective: To assess the General Practitioners (GPs) knowledge regarding Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) in order to better design a specific training program, then to evaluate the achievement of their clinical competences in the care of ARMD after taking a specific training program. Methods: The first part of the study was a postal questionnaire survey sent to all GPs in Castilla &amp; León. An interactive e-learning program with virtual tutorials was specifically designed for them to cover the identified gaps. Results: 725 GPs out of 2365 answered the survey, and 44% of them recognized they did not know the best screening test (Amsler grid). Around 30% did not know about the bilateralism, prevalence, risk factors, prevention or treatment of ARMD. Younger physicians knew more about ARMD. A specifically designed course was offered to 205 GPs and 164 completed it. We found a higher number of female and younger doctors doing the course compared with the group answering the previous survey. The answer “I do not know” almost disappeared after the course. The probability of suspecting a typical case of ARMD was higher after the course. Conclusions: The specific interactive online training program focused on covering the identified GPs´ gaps led to an effective learning.

An Interactive Video Program: TOPIC (Training for Oral Proficiency Interviewing Competence)

This article discusses the development and production of the interactive video refresher training program "TOPIC' (Training for Oral Proficiency Interviewing Competence). The oral proficiency interview is a face- to-face test of a candidate's speaking proficiency. TOPIC teaches interviewing and evaluation skills to oral proficiency testers.Under computer control, this interactive video program provides the user with videotaped sample interviews in German, simulation-type activities, and explanations for remedial purposes.The program can be used as a prototype for the development of refresher training programs in other languages. Authoring was done in CDS/Genesis. TOPIC runs on the Sony View System.

Reducing patients’ suicide ideation through training mental health teams in the application of the Dutch multidisciplinary practice guideline on assessment and treatment of suicidal behavior: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundTo strengthen suicide prevention skills in mental health care in The Netherlands, multidisciplinary teams throughout the country are trained in the application of the new Dutch guideline on the assessment and treatment of suicidal behavior. Previous studies have shown beneficial effects of additional efforts for guideline implementation on professionals’ attitude, knowledge, and skills. However, the effects on patients are equally important, but are rarely measured. The main objective of this study is to examine whether patients of multidisciplinary teams who are trained in guideline application show greater recovery from suicide ideation than patients of untrained teams.Methods/DesignThis is a multicentre cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT), in which multidisciplinary teams from mental health care institutions are matched in pairs, and randomly allocated to either the experimental or control condition. In the experimental condition, next to the usual dissemination of the guideline (internet, newsletter, books, publications, and congresses), teams will be trained in the application of the guideline via a 1-day small interactive group training program supported by e-learning modules. In the control condition, no additional actions next to usual dissemination of the guideline will be undertaken.Assessments at patient level will start when the experimental teams are trained. Assessments will take place upon admission and after 3 months, or earlier if the patient is discharged. The primary outcome is suicide ideation. Secondary outcomes are non-fatal suicide attempts, level of treatment satisfaction, and societal costs. Both a cost-effectiveness and cost-utility analysis will be performed. The effects of the intervention will be examined in multilevel models.DiscussionThe strengths of this study are the size of the study, RCT design, training of complete multidisciplinary teams, and the willingness of both management and staff to participate.Trial registrationNetherlands trial register: NTR3092

A Novel Educational Strategy Targeting Health Care Workers in Underserved Communities in Central America to Integrate HIV into Primary Medical Care

BackgroundCurrent educational strategies to integrate HIV care into primary medical care in Central America have traditionally targeted managers or higher-level officials, rather than local health care workers (HCWs). We developed a complementary online and on-site interactive training program to reach local HCWs at the primary care level in underserved communities.MethodsThe training program targeted physicians, nurses, and community HCWs with limited access to traditional onsite training in Panama, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, and Guatemala. The curriculum focused on principles of HIV care and health systems using a tutor-supported blended educational approach of an 8-week online component, a weeklong on-site problem-solving workshop, and individualized project-based interventions.ResultsOf 258 initially active participants, 225 (225/258 = 87.2%) successfully completed the online component and the top 200 were invited to the on-site workshop. Of those, 170 (170/200 = 85%) attended the on-site workshop. In total, 142 completed all three components, including the project phase. Quantitative and qualitative evaluation instruments included knowledge assessments, reflexive essays, and acceptability surveys. The mean pre and post-essay scores demonstrating understanding of social determinants, health system organization, and integration of HIV services were 70% and 87.5%, respectively, with an increase in knowledge of 17.2% (p<0.001). The mean pre- and post-test scores evaluating clinical knowledge were 70.9% and 90.3%, respectively, with an increase in knowledge of 19.4% (p<0.001). A survey of Likert scale and open-ended questions demonstrated overwhelming participant satisfaction with course content, structure, and effectiveness in improving their HIV-related knowledge and skills.ConclusionThis innovative curriculum utilized technology to target HCWs with limited access to educational resources. Participants benefited from technical skills acquired through the process, and could continue working within their underserved communities while participating in the online component and then implement interventions that successfully converted theoretical knowledge to action to improve integration of HIV care into primary care.

A Unique Interactive Cognitive Behavioral Training Program for Front-Line Cancer Care Professionals

For between one third and one half of all cancer survivors, disturbances in mood and cognition do not end with the conclusion of treatment. Recognizing this problem, the Institute of Medicine emphasized in its 2008 report, the importance of addressing psychosocial issues, such as distress, to providing quality cancer care. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has recognized that there is a severe lack of trained professionals who can address these needs. In response to this need, an interactive training program was developed and implemented to teach frontline cancer care professionals Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) skills. This training includes a structured curriculum, centered around a 3-day training workshop that includes didactic discussion, small group interactive sessions, role playing, post course support, and follow-up evaluation. Four of the planned eight workshops have been conducted thus far and indicate successful recruitment and implementation of a unique training model related to the CBT skills learned.

How prepared are rural and remote health care practitioners to provide evidence‐based management for people with chronic lung disease?

To investigate the existing experience, training, confidence and knowledge of rural/remote health care practitioners in providing management for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Descriptive cross-sectional, observational survey design using a written anonymous questionnaire. This study formed part of a larger project evaluating the impact of breathe easy walk easy (BEWE), an interactive education and training program for rural and remote health care practitioners. Rural (n = 1, New South Wales) and remote (n = 1, Northern Territory) Australian health care services. Health care practitioners who registered to attend the BEWE training program (n = 31). Participant attitudes, objective knowledge and self-rated experience, training and confidence related to providing components of management for people with COPD. Participants were from a variety of professional backgrounds (medical, nursing, allied health) but were predominantly nurses (n = 13) or physiotherapists (n = 9). Most participants reported that they had minimal or no experience or training in providing components of management for people with COPD. Confidence was also commonly rated by participants as low. Mean knowledge score (number of correct answers out of 19) was 8.5 (SD = 4.5). Questions relating to disease pathophysiology and diagnosis had higher correct response rates than those relating more specifically to pulmonary rehabilitation. The results of this study indicate that some rural and remote health care practitioners have low levels of experience, knowledge and confidence related to providing components of management for people with COPD and that education and training with an emphasis on pulmonary rehabilitation would be beneficial.

Web-Based SBIRT Skills Training for Health Professional Students and Primary Care Providers

ABSTRACT The authors have developed and assessed 2 innovative, case-based, interactive training programs on substance abuse, one for health professional students on alcohol and one for primary care providers on screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT). Both programs build skills in substance abuse SBIRT. Real-world effectiveness trials involving medical students (n = 10) and nursing students (n = 60) were completed; trials involving primary care providers (n = 65) are in progress during 2011. Medical students and nursing students had similarly low baseline scores on assessments that benefited from training: knowledge, confidence, and clinical performance measured via an online standardized patient case and encounter note all improved post-training. Preliminary results indicate that practicing providers improved on knowledge, attitude, and brief intervention skill performance after a similar training. Results suggest that SBIRT skills can be improved with this model for case-based interactive training programs, and thus, that this training has the potential to impact patient outcomes.

Building Capacity to Reduce Disparities in Diabetes

The purpose of this study is to determine whether an innovative interactive distance training program is an effective modality to train community health workers (CHWs) to become members of the diabetes health care team. The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center has developed a rigorous diabetes training program for CHWs involving both distance and hands-on learning as part of Project ECHO™ (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes). Twenty-three diverse CHW participants from across New Mexico were enrolled in the first training session. Participants completed surveys at baseline and at the end of the program. They attended a 3-day hands-on training session, followed by weekly participation in tele/video conferences for 6 months. Wilcoxon signed-rank statistics were used to compare pre- and posttest results. Participants demonstrated significant improvements in diabetes knowledge (P = .002), diabetes attitudes (P = .04) and confidence in both clinical and nonclinical skills (P < .001 and P = .04, respectively). Additionally, during focus group discussions, participants reported numerous benefits from participation in the program. Community health worker participation in the Project ECHO diabetes training program resulted in significant increases in knowledge, confidence, and attitudes in providing care to patients with diabetes. Studies are ongoing to determine whether the training has a positive impact on patient outcomes.

Interactive Multimedia Instruction Versus Traditional Training Programmes: Analysis of their Effectiveness and Perception

In this article, the practicability of introduction of computer multimedia as an educational tool was compared with the traditional approach for training sugarcane growers in ratoon management practices in three villages of Tamil Nadu state, India using pre-test, post-test control group experimental design. A CD-ROM was developed as a multimedia resource to support the training process using Macromedia Flash as the authorware. Three modes of message delivery—traditional lecture alone, lecture followed by multimedia and multimedia alone were analyzed for their effectiveness in terms of knowledge gain, learning index and extent of adoption. The group which was exposed to lecture followed by multimedia had better knowledge gain and learning index. Farmers perceived that the use of different multimedia building blocks made it an interesting and educative tool. The message, when given through lecture alone was perceived as boring and monotonous with limited attention span. The extent of adoption of ratoon management practices was almost on par; however the group which had received instructions through lecture followed by computer multimedia had a better adoption rate. Such a comparative analysis is an opportunity for a better understanding of the role that multimedia could play in technology transfer to farmers.

Long-Term Care Nurse Role Models in Clinical Nursing Education: The ECLEPs Experience

This article describes the partnership formed between long-term care (LTC) staff nurses and clinical nursing faculty to provide students with excellent clinical experiences in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The nurses, called Clinical Education Liaisons, contributed to faculty understanding about LTC and served as resources for students. Faculty provided ongoing mentorship about current trends in clinical education. An in-person interactive training program prepared the nurses and faculty for their new partnership roles. Evaluation results indicate the Enriching Clinical Learning Environments through Partnerships program was successful, with all LTC nurses indicating they would participate in the program again. They also reported that the students had contributed to their organizations and were being well prepared for future practice.

Implementation and Evaluation of Interventions for Home Care Aides on Blood and Body Fluid Exposure in Large-Group Settings

Participatory research conducted with academic, union and management cooperation resulted in the development, implementation, and process evaluation of interventions designed to reduce occupational blood and body fluid exposure among home care aides. Home care aides working for a large urban home care agency took part in the design and implementation of an interactive participatory training program conducted in large-group settings, and the development and evaluation of two training tools: an information card for home care aides and a sharps safety magnet for their clients. A process evaluation conducted immediately following the interactive training program found that 72 percent of the home care aides preferred it to lecture-style trainings typically offered, while only 9 percent preferred typical trainings. Home care aides were able to effectively articulate information learned during the interactive training program, with less than 2 percent providing inaccurate information about what was taught during the training. Home care aides overall responded positively to the information card and the magnet, with aides caring for clients who used sharps rating the tools as more useful. Participatory training programs can be effectively implemented in a large-group setting.

SIG 17 Perspectives Vol. 1, No. 1, May 2011

SIG 17 Perspectives Vol. 1, No. 1, May 2011

Development of a Web-Based Tobacco Cessation Educational Program for Pediatric Nurses and Respiratory Therapists

Nurses can be effective in providing advice and counseling to tobacco-using parents of hospitalized pediatric patients. However, lack of training in effective interventions is a barrier to the incorporation of tobacco cessation interventions into routine practice. This article describes the development and evaluation of a web-based tobacco cessation educational program aimed at pediatric nurses and respiratory therapists. The program was developed with input from four focus groups of nurses, respiratory therapists, and educators. The interactive training program was evaluated by 33 nurses and 17 respiratory therapists employed at a children's hospital. After completing the program, participants reported a significant change in their knowledge, attitudes, perceived barriers, and self-efficacy toward providing tobacco cessation interventions to their patients' parents. The results of the evaluation of the program were extremely promising, and further investigation is warranted.