title: Avatars travel for free: virtual access to evidence-based intervention training and capacity building.
abstract: Virtual facilitator trainings have the potential to accelerate the dissemination of evidence-based interventions by increasing accessibility and affordability. We explore the feasibility and acceptability of translating facilitator trainings of ¡Cuídate!, an evidence-based sexual risk intervention for Latino youth, to a multi-user virtual environment (Second Life). We describe the adaptation process and compare participant ratings of face-to-face (n = 35) and Second Life trainings (n = 26). Second Life participants reported that training resources, activities, and demonstrations were good/very good (97%, 88.5%, 94%). While face-to-face participants rated training process outcomes significantly higher than those in Second Life (p < 0.05), these differences may not be practically significant given high ratings overall. Results suggest that virtual trainings are an acceptable and feasible option for training community facilitators on evidence-based interventions. This study contributes to the development of trainings necessary to disseminate and implement evidence-based interventions and is an important effort in providing end-users with access to trainings in order to provide needed community services.
authors.forename: Antonia M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Villarruel
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aebersold
authors.forename: Angel F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Valladares
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yeagley
authors.forename: Dana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tschannen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D057191:Capacity Building / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012736:Sex Education / Q000379:methods*; D014584:User-Computer Interface