Evaluating the Implementation of Webinars to Enhance Social Work Knowledge, Self Efficacy and Increase Social Work and Psychiatry Collaboration

• Published in: Psycho-oncology (Chichester, England) Vol. 21; p. 53
• Main Authors: Mayorga, L, Gotto, J, Lynn, R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.02.2012
• Subjects: Collaboration; Continuing education; Oncology; Online instruction; Psychiatry; Social work
• ISSN: 1057-9249; 1099-1611

Web-based educational programming or "Webinar" is an innovative and increasingly popular way of continuing education. We converted our 2010 classroom seminar into an interactive webinar: "Identifying, Assessing, Triaging and Documenting Depression in Cancer Patients" for social workers (SW) who are the "front line" of our mental health team. An online program is more accessible for flexible learning in contrast to the classroom. The webinar is presented in 4 modules using PowerPoint accompanied by a soundtrack delivered via Blackboard. Subject matter includes epidemiology, symptoms, safety, triaging, suicide assessment, documentation and treatment. For programmatic purposes, we used pre and post test measures to assess changes in SW knowledge and SW self efficacy. Course feedback was obtained from anonymous online survey and post course focus group. Documentation skills to be assessed via two written exercises (mental status exam & note assessing patient's suicidal risk) with personalized feedback. The 2010 class resulted in time limited increased collaboration between SW and psychiatry. We expect the webinar to be more accessible and anticipate sustained increases in collaboration. We hope general feedback will demonstrate value of webinars as a way to deliver education for SW's. Continuing education is not only an obligation of the medical professional, it is a means of enhancing delivery of clinical care by increasing collaboration between various disciplines of a health team. This webinar is designed to enhance collaboration by increasing SW knowledge about what goes to psychiatry, why and SW self efficacy for clinical skills needed to sort through large number of variously depressed patients. The purpose of this study is to develop, implement and formatively evaluate innovative approaches to continued education for mental health clinicians in medical setting with high impact for clinical teamwork. Converting our previous classroom based module into a Webinar, we will ensure continued education and outreach to new SW staff. This webinar will serve to increase SW awareness of how to best work with psychiatry concerning patients with depressive symptoms. Webinar approach provides a foundation for building and expanding a solid clinical program.