Impact of a Virtual Role-play Simulation in Teaching Motivational Interviewing Communication Strategies to Occupational Therapy Students for Readiness in Conducting Screening and Brief Interventions
Keywords:
higher education, substance use, mental health, healthcare provider education, screening, role-play, virtual patients, substance use, brief interventions, instructional methodsAbstract
BACKGROUND. This study describes the impact of a training simulation aimed to increase preparedness and confidence of users’ strategies in conducting screening and brief intervention (SBI).
METHOD. This quasi-experimental, single-group pretest–posttest design included 44 Masters students. Changes in student confidence and preparedness in selecting appropriate responses during the virtual assessment were measured.
RESULTS. Paired sample t-tests indicated a significant increase in students’ preparedness and confidence when addressing patients’ substance use in all phases of the intervention.
CONCLUSION. Computer role-play simulation training in motivational interviewing strategies is effective for improving preparedness and confidence to screen, motivate to seek treatment, and refer patients with behavioral health concerns.
