Interactive Multimedia Simulation to Train Motivational Interviewing Skills

描述(由申请人提供)：激励性访谈是一种广泛使用的经验性干预药物滥用的方法，但在一线临床医生中培训这种复杂的治疗方法却知之甚少，他们现在正被要求使用这种方法。现有的研究表明，最常见的培训心梗咨询师的方法并不足以达到临床试验所需的能力水平，而这种方法的有效性已经得到证明。创新和经济的技术，帮助咨询师获得心肌梗死的能力，将解决这一基于经验的治疗的实验室和临床之间的差距。对于这一第一阶段的应用，SIMmersion LLC与新墨西哥大学的Theresa Moyers博士合作，提议开发一个原型互动模拟，以培训药物滥用咨询师的MI技能。如果在第一阶段成功地建立了可行性，原型将在第二阶段扩展为完整的多媒体培训模拟。这种培训模拟将作为一种“计算机化的角色扮演”，允许实践者与虚拟模拟患者一起练习和改进心肌梗死技能。完成的模拟将为受训者提供一个引人入胜的培训工具，他们可以利用该工具在“安全”的环境中练习关键的MI技能，同时收到一致和客观的反馈。预计这些因素将在MI技能的获得和保留方面产生可衡量的增长。对于寻求获得MI技能的新从业者和希望更新或改进现有技能的有经验的从业者来说，该模拟都将是一个有用的工具。将开发一个小型原型培训模拟，并在选定的最终用户组中进行测试。他们将被要求根据学习和操作的简易性、模拟角色的真实性、技术的潜在有用性以及如果有完整的模拟可用时他们使用游戏的可能性来评估模拟。参与者还将被邀请通过撰写一份简短的评估来分享对模拟的定性分析，其中包括对完整模拟的任何具体赞扬、批评和改进建议。动机访谈(MI)已被证明是提供药物滥用干预的一种非常有效的技术，特别是对那些对改变持矛盾态度的人。然而，必须正确实施该方法，以确保患者获得最大利益。拟议的研究将产生一种创新的新培训工具，有可能增加临床医生对心肌梗死技能的学习和保留，从而使他们的患者受益。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Motivational Interviewing is a widely used empirically-supported intervention for substance abuse, yet little is known about methods for training this complex treatment among the front-line clinicians who are now being asked to employ it. The available research indicates that the most common methods for training counselors in MI do not sufficiently elicit the level of competence required for clinical trials, where efficacy of this method has been demonstrated. Innovative and economical technologies that assist counselors in acquiring competence in MI would address this gap between the laboratory and clinic for this empirically-based treatment. For this Phase I application, SIMmersion LLC, in cooperation with Dr. Theresa Moyers of the University of New Mexico, proposes to develop a prototype interactive simulation to train MI skills for substance abuse counselors. If feasibility is successfully established during Phase I, the prototype will be expanded into a full-length multimedia training simulation in Phase II. This training simulation will act as a "computerized role-play," allowing practitioners to practice and refine MI skills with a virtual simulated patient. The completed simulation will provide trainees with an engaging training tool with which they can practice critical MI skills in a "safe" environment while receiving consistent and objective feedback. It is anticipated that these elements will have the power to produce measurable increases in both acquisition and retention of MI skills. The simulation would be a useful tool both for new practitioners seeking to acquire MI skills and experienced practitioners looking to refresh or refine existing skills. A small prototype training simulation will be developed and tested with a select group of end users. They will be asked to evaluate the simulation based on ease of learning and operation, realism of the simulated character, potential usefulness of the technique, and how likely they would be to use the game if they had a full simulation available to them. Participants will also be invited to share a qualitative analysis of the simulation by writing a brief evaluation with any specific praise, criticism, and suggestions for improvement in the full-length simulation. Motivational Interviewing (MI) has been shown to be a very effective technique for providing substance abuse intervention, particularly with individuals who are ambivalent about changing. However, the method must be implemented correctly in order to ensure maximum benefit to the patient. The proposed research will produce an innovative new training tool with the potential to increase learning and retention of MI skills among clinicians, thereby benefiting their patients.