TY - JOUR
T1 - Optimizing online learning resources for substance use professionals in England
T2 - lessons from user-centered design
AU - Calder, Robert
AU - Neale, J.
AU - Simonavičius, E.
AU - Dyer, K. D.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
PY - 2023
Y1 - 2023
N2 - Online learning has the potential to improve best practice in substance use treatment by facilitating access to high-quality resources. A user-centered design (UCD) approach can identify the needs, motivating factors, and working contexts of learners. Aim: The aim of this study was to identify ways of improving online learning for people working in substance use treatment services in England. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 31 substance use professionals in England and 14 other professionals working in the field. Participants were asked about their training needs, working contexts, and current use of online resources. Data were analyzed according to the principles of UCD via Iterative Categorisation. Results: Participants reported “unmet needs” for training in therapeutic relationships and advanced therapeutic techniques. They enjoyed training that demonstrably improved the quality of life for people who use drugs and that provided career and personal development opportunities. Participants completed many mandatory online courses that were short and unpopular. Access to training was limited by time and financial constraints, with online training partially addressing these barriers. Conclusion: If online learning is to be optimized, the needs of substance use professionals must be accommodated; however, online learning that meets the needs of substance use professionals does not always match the best evidence.
AB - Online learning has the potential to improve best practice in substance use treatment by facilitating access to high-quality resources. A user-centered design (UCD) approach can identify the needs, motivating factors, and working contexts of learners. Aim: The aim of this study was to identify ways of improving online learning for people working in substance use treatment services in England. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 31 substance use professionals in England and 14 other professionals working in the field. Participants were asked about their training needs, working contexts, and current use of online resources. Data were analyzed according to the principles of UCD via Iterative Categorisation. Results: Participants reported “unmet needs” for training in therapeutic relationships and advanced therapeutic techniques. They enjoyed training that demonstrably improved the quality of life for people who use drugs and that provided career and personal development opportunities. Participants completed many mandatory online courses that were short and unpopular. Access to training was limited by time and financial constraints, with online training partially addressing these barriers. Conclusion: If online learning is to be optimized, the needs of substance use professionals must be accommodated; however, online learning that meets the needs of substance use professionals does not always match the best evidence.
KW - addiction
KW - user-centered design
KW - Workforce development
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85150613283&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/09687637.2023.2186204
DO - 10.1080/09687637.2023.2186204
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85150613283
SN - 0968-7637
JO - Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy
JF - Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy
ER -
