Newsletter | South Central MIRECC
Fall 2018, Volume 20, Issue 5- In this Issue
New Orleans Site Update
Meet the New Fellows
2018 MI Training Evaluation Results
Research to Practice: Using Implementation Science to Enhance Health Disparity Research
FY2019 Education Needs Survey Announcement
Recent Publications
Pilot Study Research Program Applications Due January 2
Implementation, Design and Analysis Support Available for Affiliates
2018 MI Training Evaluation Results
Summary by Ashley McDaniel, MA
SC MIRECC hosts a yearly network-wide training using the results of the annual needs assessment survey. Motivational Interviewing (MI) was identified as a priority from last year's needs assessment. Accordingly, in September, MI training was provided to 42 VISN 16 and 17 counselors, social workers, nurses, psychologists, and physicians.
Presented by Dr. LaDonna Saxon, a national trainer and consultant for MI, this 8-hour webinar featured small-group teleconference breakout sessions to practice MI skills. The training highlighted MI principles, practical guidelines, and counseling micro-skills essential to proficient practice.
Many thanks to the 11 breakout facilitators who assisted Dr. Saxon with the training for the 42 learners who were selected by the VISN 16 and 17 Mental Health Service Chiefs and Product Lines. Twenty-nine participants completed the evaluation. Of those who took the survey, 41% work in a CBOC and 59% work in a medical center. Forty-four percent were not using MI techniques in clinical practice before the training. Key results:
| Agreement with Statement about Training | Average (1-5) |
|---|---|
| Overall, I was satisfied with the MI training | 4.46 |
| I learned new knowledge | 4.48 |
| I learned new skills | 4.52 |
| I found the content to be relevant | 4.45 |
| I found the content to be up-to-date | 4.48 |
| I am able to apply the knowledge I learned from this training to my practice | 4.48 |
| I am able to apply the skills I learned from this training to my practice | 4.45 |
| I am likely to integrate MI into my practice | 4.45 |
| My practice will benefit from integration of MI | 4.45 |
| The training environment was effective for my learning | 4.34 |
| I found that the technology for this training was easy to use | 4.21 |
| Dr. Saxon was effective in conveying knowledge about MI | 4.55 |
| Dr. Saxon was knowledgeable about MI | 4.62 |
| Dr. Saxon kept me actively engaged | 4.41 |
| Patient Interaction | Percent |
|---|---|
| Brief single session interventions | 38% |
| Multi-session individual therapy | 27% |
| Group psychotherapy | 3% |
| Group psychoeducation | 3% |
|
Other (free response; answers included treatment planning, medication assessments, intake and discharge, care management calls, team-based interactions) |
28% |
Participants also provided feedback on their thoughts about the program and using the skills they learned:
What about the MI training was most useful to you?
- Didactic from Dr. Saxon, role plays in break-outs, and reading book beforehand
- Learning ways to better incorporate the MI spirit into practice
- How to engage the patient to identify their reasons for change
What about the MI training was least useful to you?
- A lot of the content was necessarily dense due to time restrictions
- Lack of CEU credit
- Meeting over the computer and phone
Please describe any barriers you anticipate in using MI with Veterans at your facility.
- Experiencing "drift" due to falling back into previous style
- No ongoing training, feedback
- Time in encounters
For more information about SC MIRECC training and education, visit our website.
Last updated: December 15, 2020
