Phase II Motivational Interviewing: An Experiential Online Training Tool

Clinical social workers, doctors, outreach workers, and all other staff providing direct care to vulnerable populations face multiple challenges in obtaining and maintaining training and implementing evidence based practices in diverse community settings. Motivational Interviewing is a well-established evidence based practice that is challenging to implement across programs and agencies because it requires that skills gained from training be reinforced as a service provider employs the practice. This study builds on findings from a Phase I study. With funding from a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research grant from the National Institute of Health, the Center for Social Innovation developed the Motivational Interviewing Simulator: An Experiential Online Training Tool. The interactive, case-based, multiplayer web-based game allows service providers to deepen their skills in Motivational Interviewing (MI), a widely recognized evidence-based practice that supports people to make positive behavior changes related to health, wellness, mental illness, and addiction. The Phase II randomized controlled trial's primary aim is to assess the relative effectiveness of three interventions (MI Training Only; MI Training + eBook; MI Training + SIM) in increasing provider MI knowledge and skill retention over time. During Phase II of this study, we will recruit 180 providers from 18 community agencies serving individuals who live in supportive housing, many of whom have histories of mental illness, addiction, homelessness, and medical problems. After receiving a standardized two-day onsite MI training, participants will be randomized into one of three conditions: 1) MI Training Only; 2) MI Training + eBook (an online comparison with comparable information to the Simulator without the interactive elements); or 3) MI Training + Simulator. The longitudinal, mixed methods study will assess providers' acquisition and retention of MI knowledge and skills through surveys and coding