title: Preparing facilitators from community-based organizations for evidence-based intervention training in Second Life.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A major barrier to the use and scale-up of evidence-based interventions are challenges related to training and capacity building. A cost-effective and highly interactive multi-user virtual environment, Second Life (SL) is a promising alternative for comprehensive face-to-face facilitator training.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of using SL to train facilitators from community-based organizations to use ¡Cuídate! (Take Care of Yourself), one of the few evidence-based interventions developed and tested with Latino youth to reduce sexual risk behaviors.
  
  
  METHODS
  We recruited 35 participants from community-based organizations throughout the United States to participate in the SL ¡Cuídate! Training of Facilitators. Preparation to use SL consisted of four phases: (1) recruitment and computer capacity screening, (2) enrollment, (3) orientation to the SL program, and (4) technical support throughout the synchronous training sessions. Technical difficulties, the associated cause, and the mitigation strategy implemented were recorded during each session. Participants completed evaluations including perceptions of self-efficacy and confidence to complete the necessary skills to participate in SL training.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, participants reported high levels of self-efficacy for all skills necessary to participate in SL training. Based on an 11-point scale (0-10), self-efficacy to download and access the software was rated the highest: mean 8.29 (SD 2.19). Interacting with items in SL had the lowest mean score: mean 7.49 (SD 2.89). The majority of technical difficulties experienced by participants were related to inadequate Internet connections or computer malfunctions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings support the feasibility of using SL for the ¡Cuídate! Training of Facilitators. The process used in this study to prepare participants to use SL can be used as a basis for other evidence-based intervention training in SL. This study is an important contribution to developing cost-effective and accessible training options for evidence-based interventions.
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan, School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.
authors.forename: Angel Felix
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6437-435X
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Valladares
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8109-5643
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aebersold
authors.forename: Dana
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5553-2109
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tschannen
authors.forename: Antonia Maria
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2367-5786
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Villarruel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D057191:Capacity Building; D003198:Computer Simulation; D020375:Education, Distance; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012984:Software; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Second Life; community-based organization; computer simulation; distance education; evidence-based intervention; facilitator training; health education; serious gaming; virtual environment