A randomized trial comparing two models of web-based training in cognitive-behavioral therapy for substance abuse counselors

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2009.01.002 Byline: Kenneth R. Weingardt, Michael A. Cucciare, Christine Bellotti, Wen Pin Lai Keywords: Web-based training; Cognitive-Behavioral therapy; Substance use disorder counselors; Blended learning Abstract: This study compared training outcomes obtained by 147 substance abuse counselors who completed eight self-paced online modules on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and attended a series of four weekly group supervision sessions using Web conferencing software. Participants were randomly assigned to two conditions that systematically varied the degree to which they explicitly promoted adherence to the CBT protocol and the degree of control that they afforded participants over the sequence and relative emphasis of the training curriculum. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and immediately following training. Counselors in both conditions demonstrated similar improvements in CBT knowledge and self-efficacy. Counselors in the low-fidelity condition demonstrated greater improvement on one of three measures of job-related burnout when compared to the high-fidelity condition. The study concludes that it is feasible to implement a technology-based training intervention with a geographically diverse sample of practitioners, that two training conditions applied to these samples of real-world counselors do not produce statistically or clinically significant differences in knowledge or self-efficacy, and that further research is needed to evaluate how a flexible training model may influence clinician behavior and patient outcomes. Author Affiliation: Center for Health Care Evaluation, VA Palo Alto Health Care System and, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA Article History: Received 1 October 2008; Revised 30 December 2008; Accepted 21 January 2009 Article Note: (footnote) The work described in this article was supported by the Health Services Research and Development Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, and by a grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (R21DAO07993). The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not reflect the official positions of the Department of Veterans Affairs nor the National Institute on Drug Abuse.