WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 4093 [post_author] => 22 [post_date] => 2019-05-15 19:57:50 [post_date_gmt] => 2019-05-15 19:57:50 [post_content] => Colleges and universities play a critical role in addressing the mental health needs of their students. Campus mental health is a topic that is impossible to ignore, with rising prevalence of issues like anxiety and depression and a growing treatment gap when it comes to accessing mental health treatment. Regardless of size, geography, student population, and existing mental health resources, higher education shares a common goal: to decrease the number of students with untreated mental health problems. To close the treatment gap, there are a variety of approaches to reducing barriers to care.

Where to Start with Limited Resources

Campuses are aware of the costs of not addressing campus mental health. The need is urgent, but finding the funding and having the time and resources to dedicate to mental health solutions can be a challenge. For example, community colleges may not have dedicated mental health counseling on campus when it is community college students who are the least likely to receive help for mental health. To address the needs of students, colleges and universities with limited resources should be confident they are investing wisely with the right tools and resources. Luckily, there’s evidence to support that spending on mental health is an approach that pays off for universities. And, there are ways to make concise economic and institutional calculations that justify these investments on your own campus.

About California’s Statewide Study

A major study conducted by RAND that began in 2011 looked at 39 public campuses in California. The campuses spanned the University of California system, the California State University system, and the California Community Colleges system. Surveying over 33,000 students and 14,000 faculty, the study focused on prevention and early intervention to accomplish three goals:

1. Help people on campus recognize and support students in need of mental health care
2. Combat the stigma of mental illness
3. Give students tools for dealing with stress and other personal and emotional problems

California higher education institutions were given funding from the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA). This funding supported social marketing campaigns and various training programs, including Kognito’s At-Risk mental health training simulations for faculty and staff and students which are currently available to the entire California Community Colleges (CCC) network. In fact, students who completed a Kognito simulation reported a 73% increase in the number of peers whom they referred to mental health services. The findings, highlighted below, provide an evaluation and economic evidence for a comprehensive approach to campus mental health programs.  These results help support how different types of higher education institutions can start to tackle the question of return on investment.

How Investing in Prevention Pays Off in the Future

Many of our clients choose Kognito because they are responding to the overwhelming demand to address mental health on their campus. Kognito’s approach is a universal one: to train faculty, staff, and students to recognize signs of psychological distress among students on campus. Our simulations use motivational interviewing training and other evidence-based communication techniques to allow campus members to practice conversations around approaching students and motivating them to access support. Greater awareness of mental health and more conversations about it on campus is a short-term outcome of implementing Kognito trainings. In the longer-term, campuses see more at-risk students accessing mental health treatment, and related benefits as groups and entire campuses become activated to encourage help-seeking. This infographic, based on research from the Healthy Minds Network, shows four institutional benefits that result from this approach.  

1. Increased student satisfaction

[caption id="attachment_4119" align="alignleft" width="150"] Student Satisfaction[/caption] Connecting students dealing with a mental illness to mental health support services allows them to re-focus on their academic and extracurricular lives on campus. Across multiple students, closing the gap between mental health needs and treatment starts to reduce burnout and improve overall wellbeing on campus. In tandem, social and environmental determinants play a role in enhancing mental wellness. Improving attitudes and lowering stigma reduces barriers when it comes to comfort in seeking services. Positive interactions and networks of support are also protective factors that improve campus climate. The RAND study found that when students felt that fellow students would support them in seeking treatment, they were 20% more likely to receive services, and 60% more likely to do so on campus. Calculated another way, if every public college student in California attended a campus with a culture that supported mental health, the chances of that student getting needed services would rise by 40%.

2. Increased retention

[caption id="attachment_4120" align="alignright" width="150"] Retention[/caption] Mental health issues interfere with academic success. Schools are already dealing with student retention due to a variety of factors, of which mental health can exacerbate this rate. Without adequate treatment, a negative campus climate, or other barriers, students may explore a leave of absence or drop out altogether. In fact, the Healthy Minds study found that depression is associated with a two-fold increase in the risk of a student not graduating. Increasing student satisfaction by reducing psychological distress among students directly contributes to increased retention when students can re-focus on their requirements to graduate. The RAND study calculated that with their intervention efforts across California schools, 329 dropouts were averted.

3. Increased tuition dollars

[caption id="attachment_4122" align="alignleft" width="150"] Tuition Dollars[/caption] Reducing a school’s dropout rate event just slightly can yield large returns for universities. Healthy Minds approximates that adding mental health services to reach 1,000 more students would yield retention of 20 students who would otherwise not graduate. This adds up to $1 million in tuition saved among that sample group. In another estimate, Healthy Minds approximates that for every dollar spent on mental health initiatives on campus, there is roughly a doubling in return on investment in terms of tuition dollars retained because of dropouts averted.

4. Increased reputation and alumni giving

[caption id="attachment_4121" align="alignright" width="150"] Reputation[/caption] Investing in student wellbeing has benefits long into the future. As increased attention is turning to actions that universities are taking around mental health, there is opportunity for positive recognition for campus mental health efforts. This extends to community relations, media coverage, and prospective students. Showcasing efforts in campus mental health is now even a factor in where students decide to attend school. Happy students who graduate and go on to successful careers will carry the sentiment of their college experience with them forever. For 20 students who access mental health services in college and avoid dropping out, this adds $4 million to their expected lifetime earnings. Mental health also correlates to higher likelihood of donating as alumni. For society, the 329 averted dropouts from mental health efforts in the California RAND study would generate $56.1 million in increased earning potential and decreased societal costs for California.

Next Steps for Managing Campus Mental Health Initiatives

The connectedness of a school campus makes them an ideal setting for mental health prevention. It’s easy to list the benefits of adopting mental health programs that link more students to mental health support. But the challenge lies in making a decision that maximizes resources, is evidence-based, and is simple to implement. These four ways that investment pays off are just a few of the ways that investing in campus mental health prevention, with Kognito and other solutions, can be justified when campuses are resource-strapped. If you’re just getting started, don’t miss the Healthy Minds Network Return on Investment Calculator, and the JED Foundation/EDC’s Guide to Campus Mental Health Action Planning. [post_title] => 4 Ways That Investing in Campus Mental Health Pays Back [Infographic] [post_excerpt] => Addressing the mental health needs of students on campus is urgent. But a common challenge for colleges and universities is finding the funding and resources to dedicate to mental health solutions. Learn how institutions benefit from investment in a preventive approach to campus mental health with the infographic below. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => 4-ways-that-investment-in-campus-mental-health-pays-back [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2020-08-26 22:17:02 [post_modified_gmt] => 2020-08-26 22:17:02 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://kognito.com/?post_type=articles&p=4093 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => articles [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw )

WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 4454 [post_author] => 22 [post_date] => 2019-10-24 16:06:01 [post_date_gmt] => 2019-10-24 16:06:01 [post_content] => Conversations in healthcare settings are a cornerstone of healthcare delivery - the foundation of doctor-patient communication. Patients expect that their healthcare providers have undergone rigorous medical training in order to be able to diagnose and treat patients. However, diagnosis and treatment are really a small piece of their role in practicing medicine. All providers must communicate with patients to provide safe and high-quality care. But this communication is not one-sided; rather it involves mutual participation. What is involved in that exchange, and what are techniques to ensure that it’s effective?

What is doctor-patient communication?

Patients and providers know that accurate information is important. But how this information is conveyed is just as important. For example, medical information should be easy to understand and conveyed in a way that encourages dialogue between patient and provider. The Joint Commission defines effective communication as:

• The successful joint establishment of meaning wherein patients and health care providers exchange information, enabling patients to participate actively in their care from admission through discharge, and ensuring that the responsibilities of both patients and providers are understood.

• To be truly effective, communication requires a two-way process (expressive and receptive) in which messages are negotiated until the information is correctly understood by both parties.

• Successful communication takes place only when providers understand and integrate the information gleaned from patients, and when patients comprehend accurate, timely, complete, and unambiguous messages from providers in a way that enables them to participate responsibly in their care.

This definition encompasses not just exchange of information, but also the manner in which that information is communicated: in a way that both parties understand and feel ready to act upon.

Why is communication in healthcare important?

Research on doctor-patient communication shows both the impact of poor communication on negative outcomes and effective communication contributing to positive outcomes. Further, evidence supports that communication skills are an essential competency to deliver value-based, patient-centered care.

• It can improve patient safety: ensuring that patients are informed and involved helps reduce medical errors. A study found that 32% of nursing malpractice claims were caused by at least one breakdown in communication. Another study found that more than 70% of adverse events were caused by breakdowns in communication
• It can improve patient outcomes: for example, patients who feel motivated are more likely to adhere to a prescribed regimen correctly. A literature review on patient-centered communication demonstrated a positive association between physician communication and patient outcomes. This included patient recall, patient understanding, and patient adherence to therapy. Better communication also contributes to improvements in emotional health, functioning, and pain control.
• It can improve patient experience: how patients perceive their care experience is linked strongly to communication. For example, effective communication among care team members and with patients has been linked to an increased likelihood for patients to recommend the organization and to rate their overall care more highly. When hospitals improve nurse communications with patients, they see associated gains in patient experience measures.

What does good communication in healthcare settings look like?

Professional and academic organizations are beginning to define elements of communication skills for healthcare professionals. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education recommends that physicians become competent in interpersonal and communication skills, including:

1. Listening effectively
2. Eliciting information using effective questioning skills
3. Providing information using effective explanatory skills
4. Counseling and educating patients; and
5. Making informed decisions based on patient information and preference

According to The Joint Commission, elements of strong doctor-patient communication are:

• Clear expectation setting
• A patient-centered approach to communication that ensures patients play an active role in the dialogue
• Expression of empathy
• A focus on clear information exchange and patient education that promotes the understanding and retention of key information

Why isn't doctor-patient communication training standardized?

Dr. Calvin Chou writes in the New England Journal of Medicine:

Would you trust a surgeon who told you, “I haven’t had any formal training for this procedure, observed any experts, nor received feedback on my skills, BUT over the course of time, through trial and error, I think I’ve found what works for me”? That is essentially how physicians were “trained” in communication skills for decades.

The reality is that a focus on doctor-patient communication is relatively nascent. Education and training for healthcare professionals vary and result in different methods and communication styles. Further, patients are incredibly diverse when it comes to knowledge level, health literacy, social determinants of health, beliefs, and other factors. There is no one-size-fits-all conversation that will apply to all patients; quality care depends on meeting the unique needs of patients, one at a time. With research indicating that effective doctor-patient communication delivers safer care, high-quality care, and more cost-effective care - all of which drive value in healthcare - it makes sense to invest in these skills for health professionals.

How should healthcare organizations focus on doctor-patient communication?

[caption id="attachment_4458" align="alignleft" width="300"] Take a demo[/caption] To enhance patient safety and quality, there are a variety of evidence-based best practices that help healthcare organizations enhance communication skills. One solution is investing in communication skills training for all staff. This could include techniques such as the use of open-ended questions, motivational interviewing, and more. Schools of health professions can also focus on incorporating doctor-patient communication early into curricula. Being ready to sit down with a patient equipped with effective communication skills probably won't happen overnight or come naturally. Rather, it requires training and ongoing practice. Luckily, there are many advantages to building these skills for physicians, nurses, social workers, and future healthcare professionals to deliver high-quality care.

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Explore more articles from the Kognito blog: 

• Motivational Interviewing: Approaches You Can Use Today
• Scaling Mental Health and Substance Use Training for Health Professionals
• Meeting the Quadruple Aim with Simulation Technology

[post_title] => The Case for Doctor-Patient Communication to Improve Healthcare Quality [post_excerpt] => As patients, we’ve probably heard “what brings you in?” as a conversation starter with our healthcare providers. The doctor-patient communication that follows is critically important to achieve safe, high quality, and cost-effective care. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => the-case-for-patient-provider-communication-to-improve-healthcare-quality [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2020-12-07 23:57:00 [post_modified_gmt] => 2020-12-07 23:57:00 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://kognito.com/?post_type=articles&p=4454 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => articles [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw )

WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 4462 [post_author] => 22 [post_date] => 2019-10-29 21:57:15 [post_date_gmt] => 2019-10-29 21:57:15 [post_content] => It is possible to find engaging, delightful professional development for teachers. Professional development—just reading these two words can put teachers around the country in a state of stress. To many, it’s a burdensome task on a seemingly never-ending to-do list. Teachers are working longer hours (an average of 53 hours per week!) and 50% of all teachers report feeling under great stress at least several days per week. Unfortunately, only 29% of teachers are satisfied with their district’s current professional development (PD) offerings, contributing to teacher burnout—a serious concern when currently nearly 1 in 3 teachers leaves the profession within only three years. The concept of professional development isn’t the issue; the issue is that educators report dissatisfaction with “sit and get,” one-size-fits-all PD while favoring personalized and interactive learning. Aha! There’s an opportunity here: Providing more interactive, engaging professional development may help to improve teacher retention and avoid burnout. Instead of seeing professional development for teachers as a requirement that adds to an educator’s burden, what if we saw it as an exciting and enriching experience that can actually do what the name implies—develop them professionally?

3 Ways to Go from Boring to Engaging Professional Development

1. Keep it short

[caption id="attachment_4495" align="alignleft" width="300"] Keep It Short[/caption] No one wants to sit through 8 hours of training. On average, educators and school staff spend 39 to 74 hours, that’s 5 to 10 days, on mandated professional development each school year. Be respectful of their time and implement trainings that are effective yet concise. Look for engaging professional development experiences that are evidence-based so you can ensure you’re making the most of teacher and staff time.

2. Focus on active learning, not passive

[caption id="attachment_4496" align="alignright" width="300"] Focus On Active[/caption] Put simply: don’t bore them. E-learning is antiquated and isn’t designed for retaining knowledge. PowerPoint presentations are a struggle to sit through and can easily be tuned out. Active learning—a hands-on approach involving interactivity, discussion, feedback, etc.—leads to a more engaging professional development experience that is proven to help trainees retain more information in less time.

3. Personalize it

[caption id="attachment_4497" align="alignleft" width="300"] Personalize It[/caption] Teachers also know that everyone has a different knowledge base and learning pace … and that includes themselves. Presentations are static and don’t account for these differences. Cater to everyone’s strengths by giving them options. Yes, you can give them options while still delivering standardized, evidence-based learning objectives. Look for online formats that allow them to go at their own pace, and provide options to do the training on any device on their own time.

Upgrade to More Engaging Professional Development

It doesn’t have to be difficult for districts to upgrade their professional development for teachers. In fact, using a solution like Kognito’s interactive, simulated trainings with virtual coaches can actually save money when compared to the cost of hiring an in-person training coach. We know time is a luxury for teachers, which is why all of Kognito’s online K-12 simulations take two hours or less to complete. They are brief, meaningful, and can be completed from any device, anywhere, at any time. Teachers engage with the training via simulated conversations based on real student scenarios, giving them an opportunity to put their new skills to practice. Here’s what some trainees had to share after completing one of Kognito’s training modules, At-Risk for High School Educators:

“I absolutely loved the interactive nature. It wasn't just a video that I had to watch in a numbing state. It required me to make decisions based on the information. The choices particularly in the conversations with the students were so interesting to go through. This was probably one of the best online training professional developments I have experienced in my 13 years of teaching. Thank you.” “The interactive portions were engaging and practical. It made the information accessible, interesting, and memorable.” “The design was well-created and easy to use. It provided me a direct opportunity to engage in very real scenarios. It was not too exaggerated, nor out of touch with the classroom. It was also well rounded in the types/experiences of students that we engage with.”

At Kognito, we believe professional development should delight teachers and provide opportunities for hands-on practice that they can start using in their classrooms immediately. Our role-play simulations enable schools, districts, and state agencies to rapidly build the capacity of educators to improve student mental health, academic performance, and school safety, while giving teachers the freedom and flexibility to complete their professional development at their own pace. Incorporating interaction, a staple of our simulations, gives teachers an opportunity to practice a new skill rather than passively learning it on paper or a Powerpoint slide. At Kognito we want teachers to feel valued and empowered instead of feeling like passive learners. And districts should feel confident that their investment in this professional development delivers measured results that are making a positive impact in their schools.

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Explore more articles from the Kognito blog: 

• Back to School with Kognito
• The Hidden Cost of Free: What Districts Should Know About the Cost of Teacher Training
• Improving School Safety: 3 Threats You Might Miss

[post_title] => 3 Ways to Upgrade to Engaging Professional Development for Teachers [post_excerpt] => Providing more interactive, engaging professional development may help to improve teacher retention and avoid burnout. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => 3-ways-to-upgrade-to-engaging-professional-development [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2020-12-08 00:04:00 [post_modified_gmt] => 2020-12-08 00:04:00 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://kognito.com/?post_type=articles&p=4462 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => articles [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw )