Learning is critical for the development of a flourishing, fulfilled, and effective behavioral health workforce. While burnout is most likely to result when employees feel the demands of their jobs exceed their capabilities, preparing workers with knowledge and skills to succeed contributes to higher quality services and increased motivation.
Ensuring workers have appropriate training to perform their jobs well and increase their skills for future career advancement is essential not only because it increases the quality of services behavioral health professionals provide but also because competence meets a core psychological need.
Self-efficacy, one's belief in their ability to achieve their goals, enables behavioral health professionals to pursue challenging goals and persevere when things get tough, increases motivation, and buffers against mental, emotional, and physical health problems.
Research has identified several elements of effective adult learning experiences:
Contextual
Offer learning opportunities that are contextualized for the care setting and address specific needs of the professional and organization.
Models
Provide models of proficiency for participants to observe and replicate.
Practice
Include time for participants to practice using new skills.
Discussion
Facilitate large and small group discussions to explore and refine concepts and their applicability.
Expert Feedback
Use experts with relevant experience to observe practice and give feedback.
Follow-Up
Develop written action plans andfollow-up on progress through peer review and support.
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