Supporting Clinical Development Through Integrative Continuing Education for Field Instructors

Clinical Social Work Journal (11/24/22) Petros, Ryan; Lapham, Jessica; Rubin, Beth Wierman; et al.

Researchers assessed the feasibility of the Promoting Recovery of clients through Advanced Clinical Training and Integrative Continuing Education (PRACTICE) program for field instructors (FIs) supervising master of social work (MSW) students in community behavioral health centers. Nine FIs were trained in an evidence-based practice (EBP) embedded in required MSW course content. PRACTICE's CE element included content on motivational interviewing (MI) with a recovery orientation. All but one of the participants had acquired a social work license, while seven reported previous MI experience. Their willingness to use MI did not significantly change before and after completing the program, and remained relatively high. Learners' confidence in using MI improved from a mean of 4.5 to a mean of 7.4 out of 10. Their knowledge of the spirit of MI and OARS (open-ended questions, affirmations, reflections and summaries) also increased substantially. Recovery or recovery knowledge expectations remained unchanged. Participants preferred in-person training and synchronous online elements accessed over time to training held on only a few occasions. "Not only did participants report satisfaction with the program, the CE programming resulted in improved confidence and knowledge about MI and perceived enhancements to the supervision they provided to MSW students, demonstrating the feasibility of offering such CE to FIs," the researchers reported.

Read More