Dataset Information

Alcohol-related brain damage: A mixed-method evaluation of an online awareness-raising programme for frontline care and support practitioners.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD) is an umbrella term referring to the neurocognitive impairments caused by excessive and prolonged alcohol use and the associated nutritional deficiencies. This study evaluated the outcomes of an online research-informed training program for ARBD which aimed to improve client outcomes by promoting support staff's awareness and confidence in working with clients who may have (or who are at risk of developing) the condition.

Methods

Staff working within a large non-governmental non-profit housing organisation (n = 883) enrolled in the training program. Questionnaires were used pre- and post-training to collect self-reported awareness of ARBD and confidence in supporting individuals with the condition. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 27 staff members approximately 10 weeks post-completion of the program. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed by employing qualitative content analysis.

Results

Findings from the questionnaires indicated a significant increase in all measures after completing the training program. Three main themes were developed based on the interview data: changes to awareness and understanding; professional practice; and training-specific characteristics. Participants reported changes in their ability to identify potential service users with ARBD and confidence in doing so.

Discussion and conclusion

Our findings demonstrate that online training programs can be effective in improving support staff's ability to identify ARBD, potentially leading an increase in signposting service users to relevant services. The research-informed nature of the training demonstrates that translating research findings directly to frontline workers can have a substantial impact and may improve outcomes for this client group.

SUBMITTER: Ward R

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10087889 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Alcohol-related brain damage: A mixed-method evaluation of an online awareness-raising programme for frontline care and support practitioners.

Ward Rebecca R Roderique-Davies Gareth G Hughes Harriet H Heirene Robert R Newstead Simon S John Bev B

Drug and alcohol review 20220912 1

<h4>Introduction</h4>Alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD) is an umbrella term referring to the neurocognitive impairments caused by excessive and prolonged alcohol use and the associated nutritional deficiencies. This study evaluated the outcomes of an online research-informed training program for ARBD which aimed to improve client outcomes by promoting support staff's awareness and confidence in working with clients who may have (or who are at risk of developing) the condition.<h4>Methods</h4>St ...[more]

PMID: 36097437

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Dataset Information

Alcohol-related brain damage: A mixed-method evaluation of an online awareness-raising programme for frontline care and support practitioners.

Introduction

Methods

Results

Discussion and conclusion

Publications

Alcohol-related brain damage: A mixed-method evaluation of an online awareness-raising programme for frontline care and support practitioners.

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