Implementation and Outcomes of a Train-the-Trainer Program at Behavioral Health Treatment Centers as a Mechanism to Maintain Organizational Capacity to Address Tobacco Use Disorder

Vijay Nitturi, Tzuan A. Chen, Isabel Martinez Leal, Virmarie Correa-Fernández, Kelli Drenner, Bryce Kyburz, Teresa Williams, Ezemenari M. Obasi, Maggie Britton, Molly Howard, Rogelio Rangel, Jeni Sharp, Shelley Smith and Lorraine R. Reitzel
Additional contact information
Vijay Nitturi: Department of Psychological, Health, and Learning Sciences, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
Tzuan A. Chen: Department of Psychological, Health, and Learning Sciences, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
Isabel Martinez Leal: Department of Psychological, Health, and Learning Sciences, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
Virmarie Correa-Fernández: Department of Psychological, Health, and Learning Sciences, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
Kelli Drenner: Department of Psychological, Health, and Learning Sciences, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
Bryce Kyburz: Integral Care, Austin, TX 78703, USA
Teresa Williams: Integral Care, Austin, TX 78703, USA
Ezemenari M. Obasi: Department of Psychological, Health, and Learning Sciences, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
Maggie Britton: Department of Psychological, Health, and Learning Sciences, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
Molly Howard: Heart of Texas Region MHMR, Waco, TX 76701, USA
Rogelio Rangel: Border Region Behavioral Health Center, Laredo, TX 78041, USA
Jeni Sharp: Heart of Texas Region MHMR, Waco, TX 76701, USA
Shelley Smith: West Texas Centers, Big Springs, TX 79720, USA
Lorraine R. Reitzel: Department of Psychological, Health, and Learning Sciences, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 21, 1-15

Abstract: Despite prior successful implementation of Taking Texas Tobacco Free (TTTF), an evidence-based tobacco-free workplace program, in local mental health authorities (LMHAs), post-implementation employee attrition necessitated continuing education on tobacco-free policies and tobacco treatment practices. Here, we report on the outcomes of a train-the-trainer program which trained “champions” to deliver tobacco cessation education at their LMHAs. Three LMHAs participated in program implementation via 10 champions, iteratively trained and coached by TTTF. Measures administered evaluated four goals: (1) increase champions’ self-efficacy in delivering trainings, (2) achieve program fidelity via TTTF staff evaluation of trainer effectiveness and knowledge increases among attending employees, (3) achieve stakeholder program acceptability, and (4) achieve program adoption via an increase in follow-up trainings. Champions’ self-efficacy increased throughout TTTF training. TTTF staff ratings of champion-led trainings met the targeted range for trainer effectiveness; employees had a 28.71% knowledge increase over baseline post-training ( p < 0.001). Employees rated champions’ training delivery “very good” to “excellent”, on average; both champions and employees were, on average, “satisfied” to “extremely satisfied” with the curriculum and training received. There was an increase over baseline in trainings delivered during follow-up, and trainings increased in length and topic coverage. Ultimately, the train-the-trainer program achieved the intended goals, although not all changes were statistically significant, likely at least partially attributable to small sample sizes. Overall, these results suggest that TTTF’s train-the-trainer program was successful in its delivery and intention to build capacity for the provision of in-house tobacco education trainings to behavioral health employees/providers. However, further evaluation in additional settings, with more champions, et cetera, is necessary to validate these findings, ensure their replicability, link program implementation with reduced patient tobacco use rates, and assess long-term sustainability.

Keywords: tobacco cessation; train-the-trainer; behavioral disorders; mental health disorders; education (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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