Randomized, Controlled Evaluation of a Virtual Human Patient for Provider Training in Motivational Interviewing

Randomized, Controlled Evaluation of a Virtual Human Patient for Provider Training in Motivational Interviewing

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of training with a virtual standardized patient on the acquisition and maintenance of motivational interviewing skills compared with traditional academic study.

Motivational interviewing is an evidence-based counseling approach that aims to increase a patient's motivation to make positive health changes in their lives. A common training method for medical professionals is the use of human standardized patients, who are actors who pretend to be patients for educational interviews. Standardized patients are expensive and it is challenging to maintain an adequate pool of patient actors. Accordingly, after licensure or medical boards, health professionals typically adopt new evidence-based practices, like motivational interviewing, without human standardized patient training experiences. Given the established importance of post-training coaching and feedback to the acquisition of motivational interviewing, innovative training methods are needed. Computer virtual patients may provide a cost-effective alternative that is scalable and supports dissemination of evidence-based practices. This study will evaluate the efficacy of a virtual standardized patient, relative to academic study, for training motivational interviewing among health care professionals from the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense.

Inclusion Criteria:

• All health care staff (e.g., physicians, nurses, social workers, psychologists) from supporting service lines are eligible to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• 8 hours or more of formal training in MI in the year prior to baseline assessment.
• Successfully completed participation in the VA Evidence Based Practice roll-out of MI.
• Served as MI trainers or have conducted research on MI at any time
• Do not anticipate being available for the full duration of the training study (according to their verbal self-report)