An Adaptive Learning Platform for Provider Soft Skills Training to Improve Patient Outcomes

Project Summary/Abstract Substance use disorder (SUD) treatment programs are evolving as rehabilitation facilities strive to determine the most effective way to treat this complex issue. While studies have analyzed the association between soft skill competency measures and clinical outcomes in various patient populations, little is known about the effects of implementing approaches to treat SUD patients by providing staff with key soft skills training. To gain a better understanding of effective SUD treatment approaches, we will focus on developing Premedly, an innovative learning platform to help addiction treatment providers add key soft skill competencies to improve patient outcomes. Our ultimate goal is to provide health care staff with an added level of qualifications beyond their traditional training and education. Addiction treatment facilities need to strongly consider soft skill measures along with clinical skills when developing approaches to treating SUD patients. In general, the soft skills competency levels of many health care providers and staff do not meet industry expectations. This issue is considered significant because in the clinical setting, a lack of soft skills (i.e. demonstrating compassion, embracing diversity, effective communication, fostering collaboration) can lead to poor patient experiences and suboptimal patient outcomes. Moreover, studies have found that health care professionals commonly hold negative views toward patients with SUD, an attitude we believe can be mitigated by a well- developed soft skills training program. Soft skills are central to patient-centered care, however existing training and curricula is inadequate and outdated when it comes to providing knowledge and awareness around soft skill competencies. Many healthcare providers and staff feel “poorly” or “very poorly” prepared to implement quality improvement measures, like compassionate care. Furthermore, the burden to train for soft skills falls on academic programs, which are largely focused on clinical content, or health care employers which are left to train staff under broad workforce development curricula. Our goal is to develop a learning platform and training framework that enables addiction treatment providers to develop awareness and actionable skills key to the successful treatment of patients with SUD and determine whether these soft skills will improve patient treatment outcomes. We expect our findings to not only have a positive effect for SUD patients but also patients within the broader health care community.Project Narrative An adaptive microlearning platform that helps add key soft skills beyond traditional curricula could potentially help 18 Million health care workers build non-technical skills to improve clinical outcomes for patients. To guide this project and capture this billion dollar market opportunity, our experienced research team will begin with a capital efficient strategy to develop content and target health care providers as our primary users and monetize at the hospital or school level, laying the framework to maximize exit potential.