title: Preparing mental health professionals for new directions in mental health practice: Evaluating the sensory approaches e-learning training package.
abstract: The application of sensory modulation approaches in mental health settings is growing in recognition internationally. However, a number of barriers have been identified as limiting the implementation of the approach, including workplace culture and a lack of accessible and effective sensory approaches training. The aim of this project was to investigate the efficacy of providing this training through a custom-designed e-learning package. Participants in the present study were predominately nurses and occupational therapists working in mental health settings in Queensland, Australia. Data were collected from 121 participants using an online survey. Significant improvements were found between pre- and post-training in participants' real and perceived levels of knowledge, their perceived levels of confidence, and their attitudes towards using sensory modulation approaches in mental health settings. The findings of the study suggest that the custom-designed sensory approaches e-learning package is an effective, accessible, acceptable, and usable method to train health professionals in sensory modulation approaches. As this study is the first to analyse the efficacy of an e-learning sensory approaches package, the results are considered preliminary, and further investigation is required.
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2981-9189
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Meredith
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Harriet
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yeates
authors.affiliation: Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Herston, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Greaves
authors.affiliation: Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Herston, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.affiliation: School of Human Services and Social Work, Logan, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Maddy
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Slattery
authors.affiliation: The Queensland Centre for Mental Health Learning, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Charters
authors.affiliation: The Queensland Centre for Mental Health Learning, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hill
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D020375:Education, Distance / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000193:education*; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000193:education*; D011793:Queensland; D012677:Sensation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: e-learning; health professional; mental health; sensory approach; sensory modulation