Education of nonscientists about new alcohol research: results of two types of presentations plus 6-month follow-up.
Education of nonscientists by scientists is assumed to be beneficial for enhancing public understanding of the research process and increasing public excitement about science. However, evaluation of audience response to receiving such information has rarely been performed. In particular, the effectiveness of communicating new research on alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence has never been evaluated. Evaluation data in the present study show significant knowledge transfer, belief changes, and participant reports of possible behavioral changes in targeted audiences. These occur when alcohol researchers present basic neuropharmacological concepts and new neurobiological research to audiences consisting primarily of chemical dependency counselors, social workers, criminal justice workers, physicians, nurses, family, clergy, and others interested in alcohol-related problems (defined as "clinicians" and the "reachable public"). Together, these results suggest that it is possible to change the beliefs, knowledge, and behavior of chemical dependency clinicians and the reachable public about alcoholism, its causes, and its treatment.
Erickson
C K
CK
Division of Pharmacology/Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, 78712, USA.
Wilcox
R E
RE
Littlefield
J H
JH
Hendricson
W D
WD
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004496:Education, Continuing; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009488:Neurosciences / Q000193:education*; D010348:Patient Care Team; D012106:Research