Does the Length of Time to Complete an Online Program Matter?

ABSTRACT

Health care providers are challenged to meet the simultaneous demands of delivering clinical care and acquiring new information, especially in the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, the opioid epidemic, and concurrent escalation in alcohol and other drug use. To address the gap in knowledge related to substance use, screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT), a self-paced online educational program, was developed and delivered to 169 learners. Posttest knowledge scores increased for all learners and did not differ based on their pace of completion. Results indicated that this module provides a means for busy clinicians to increase their ability to manage substance use, even if their learning occurs in multiple sessions interrupted by other pressing demands. Future iterations of this course could further enhance clinical competency by addition of an online clinical simulation component. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2021;52(11)505-510.].