Teaching Note—Implementation of Online Client Simulation to Train and Assess Screening and Brief Intervention Skills

ABSTRACT

Given the workforce shortage of adequately trained behavioral health professionals, schools of social work are ideally positioned to teach empirically supported treatments for preventing and reducing substance use, specifically, screening and brief interventions. Traditionally, opportunities to practice screening and brief intervention skills occur in classes and field placements; however, these opportunities are limited by class time, placement setting, and multiple demands placed on field instructors. Online client simulation has potential to address these limitations as an asynchronous training and assessment tool. This article details the integration of online interactive client simulation technology in advanced-level master of social work curricula. Drawing on longitudinal pre- and postdata, we present a preliminary analysis of changes in students’ screening and brief intervention skills.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by grant 1H79TI025970-01 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Notes on contributors

Jennifer M. Putney

Jennifer M. Putney is an Assistant Professor at the Simmons University School of Social Work.

Adele A. Levine

Adele A. Levine is a Project Coordinator at the Simmons University School of Social Work.

Cali-Ryan Collin

Cali-Ryan Collin is the Director of Clinical Training at the Simmons University School of Social Work.

Kimberly H. M. O’Brien

Kimberly H. M. O’Brien is a Research Scientist at the Education Development Center.

Shannon Mountain-Ray

Shannon Mountain-Ray is the Clinical Director of Social Work at the Boston Children's Hospital Adolescent Substance Use and Addiction Program.

Tamara Cadet

Tamara Cadet is an Associate Professor at the Simmons University School of Social Work.