Web-Based Training for EAP Alcohol Screening, Brief Intervention, and Refer (BigAl2)

The goal of the proposed research is to complete the development of a web-based program to train Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and EAP-affiliated managed behavioral health organization (MBHO) practitioners to conduct screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) for problem alcohol use among working adults.

In Phase 2, the investigators propose to develop the SBIRT Training & Support Tool with two components: (1) online SBIRT Training for call-center and face-to-face practitioners conducting alcohol SBIRT and (2) SBIRT Support Tool with mobile/web interactive alcohol screening tools and brief intervention protocols to facilitate use of SBIRT by practitioners. The SBIRT Training component will provide practitioners with the skills, knowledge, motivation, and self-efficacy to: (a) screen their clients for unhealthy alcohol use with validated screening tools; (b) provide brief, motivational interviewing-informed intervention; and (c) make appropriate referrals. The training program will incorporate the Phase 1 content and expand the curriculum to include the use of additional validated alcohol screening tools. Content for alcohol SBIRT will be derived from NIAAA evidence-based materials. The SBIRT Support Tool will provide a mobile/web interface for practitioners to use interactive screening and brief intervention forms with (a) prompts for validated questions in the screening or brief intervention; (b) motivational interviewing-informed dialogue suggestions; (c) online resources (i.e., standard drink list; importance, confidence rulers); and (d) alcohol education and referral information. The practitioner will use the SBIRT Support Tool to (a) screen clients for alcohol use with interactive validated screening tools; (b) provide brief intervention for individuals based on their screening score; and (c) provide referral to treatment for individuals based on their screening score.

The SBIRT Training & Support Tool has two components, both of which will be evaluated: (1) online SBIRT Training for EAP and behavioral health practitioners conducting alcohol SBIRT with their adult clients and (2) mobile/web interactive alcohol screening tools and brief intervention protocols to facilitate use of SBIRT by practitioners.

Subjects randomized to the control condition will be placed on a wait-list and given access to the SBIRT Training & Support Tool after 3 months and completion of the 3-month follow-up assessment.

Situation judgment tests (SJT) will assess trainee's responses to real-life situations and behaviors. The SJT will consist of 9 brief (20-30 seconds) audio-based vignettes of motivational interviewing and alcohol SBIRT in typical clinical and counseling situations. For each of the 9 SJTs, trainees will identify MI/SBIRT-compliant responses.

13-item scale assessing trainee's perceived competence (self-efficacy) for using motivational interviewing and alcohol SBIRT skills

10-item scale assessing trainee's attitudes about conducting motivational interviewing and alcohol SBIRT with clients

Inclusion Criteria: EAP/BH practitioners will be employed at an EAP or behavioral health organization have an e-mail account access to high-speed Internet connection speak and read English Exclusion Criteria: younger than 18 not an EAP practitioner no access to e-mail no access to the Internet do not speak and read English