BACKGROUND
A key challenge in provider education is how to effectively train and monitor a range of clinical skills with efficiency, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.
OBJECTIVE
In the present review, we consider products and literature for online training and monitoring of clinical skills in behavioral health (e.g., healthcare conversations, mental health, and addictions). We provide an overview of topical foci and design features, as well as review the available evidence for feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness.
METHODS
The Arksey and O’Malley (2005) framework for scoping review was used. There were two project phases. First, we reviewed and tabulated product design characteristics. Second, we examined peer-reviewed literature evaluating these products.
RESULTS
Our review yielded nine companies or research centers spanning health, mental health, addictions, education, defense, and corporate fields. Products could be categorized by a computer avatar- or video-based (i.e., human actor) client interface, as well as by a completely interactive experience (i.e., virtual reality) or an experience with a pre-programmed, branch-logic interaction (i.e., computer simulation). One final product provided clinical skill monitoring services only. The literature in this field is in its nascent stages, with primarily pilot scope and greater progress in general medicine than in behavioral health.
CONCLUSIONS
Online clinical skills training and monitoring in behavioral health is a promising emerging field with positive qualities such as scalability, resource efficiency, and standardization. Future training research should emphasize between-group evaluation in contrast to standard educational practices.
CLINICALTRIAL
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