ASI-TV, Training on Tape Series

What is ASI-TV: Training on Tape?
In response to a need for briefer and more cost efficient training in the use of the Addiction Severity Index (ASI), DeltaMetrics has developed a videotaped training package.  This package, the ASI-TV: Training on Tape series, is modeled after the standard 2-day ASI training. 

The videotape series, which was originally designed as a self-training, is essentially an abbreviated version of the standard 2-day training workshop. 

More specifically, ASI-TV Training on Tape provides a didactic presentation of introductory information regarding the development and usefulness of the ASI, followed with a detailed presentation on appropriate administration and coding of the ASI interview on a section-by-section basis. 

Why was ASI-TV Training on Tape Developed?
The ASI is a comprehensive, semi-structured interview for the assessment of substance abusing individuals.  The ASI, now in its fifth edition, is the most widely used assessment instrument for substance abusing individuals around the world. 

As the use of the ASI expands more and more individuals and agencies seek proven, effective and efficient ways to learn how to use the instrument correctly.  While ASI training is available through numerous organizations, there are a number of problems with many of the training methods and models currently available: 

• It is burdensome for a treatment program to relieve clinical staff, en masse, from regular responsibilities to attend a 2-day ASI training workshop. 

• Agencies may need only 1 or a few people to be trained in the use of the ASI, and there are no inexpensive options for this purpose continuously available on a national basis. 

• Standard and up-to-date training and materials are not always provided by the trainers or organizations that currently conduct ASI training in the field. 

• High turnover of substance abuse treatment providers requires that ongoing training options be available and affordable. 

All of these reasons have created the need for continuously available, standardized ASI training package that is up-to-date, proven to be effective, and cost efficient.  With consultation from the developers of the ASI, DeltaMetrics has filled this need with ASI-TV.

ASI Interview Tapes:
In addition to developing ASI-TV, Training on Tapes Series, DeltaMetrics also developed ASI Interview Tapes showing the correct administration and coding of an ASI interview.

ASI-TV, Users Guide:
Provides the necessary information (handouts, manuals & disk with overheads) for individuals and agencies planning on teaching staff how to administer the ASI correctly. 

ASI-TV, Training on Tape Series, in conjunction with the ASI Interview tapes and the User Guide provides all the necessary information and materials to facilitate an ASI workshop. The ASI-TV User's Guide along with the set of videotapes and interviewer tapes has been designed to serve as a flexible resource for those who wish to learn about and use the ASI correctly.  The entire ASI-TV package provides a number of training options to select from to best meet existing needs. 

How To Use the Tapes?
There are three ways in which we recommend utilizing the ASI-TV: Training on Tape Series.

1. Group training as implemented in the National Institutes on Drug Abuse (NIDA) funded SBIR study. 

2.  Individual training. 

3. Facilitated ASI Training Workshops, in which all tapes are viewed over the course of one or two days. 

We strongly recommend, regardless of the approach utilized, that anyone viewing either the ASI Training and/or interviewing tapes first read the ASI Pre-Training materials and, upon conclusion of viewing the tapes, read the ASI Question by Question Manual.  

The new or refined ASI training models are now available from DeltaMetrics for use in the field of substance abuse depending on the specific needs and preferences of the user.  All three models have been shown to be effective in providing trainees with the information and skills (with practice) necessary to administer the ASI in a competent fashion.

Proven Effective:
The ASI-TV: Training on Tape series was one of four ASI training models evaluated within a NIDA funded research project.  The goals of the project were to:

• develop briefer and more cost efficient ASI training models and packages

• develop methods to measure knowledge about and competency in using the ASI

• evaluate the relative effectiveness of the various ASI training models.

Results:
Participants in the 2-Day ASI Workshop demonstrated the most accurate understanding of the ASI as measured immediately following the training event.  However, several months after training, measures that assessed more “hands on” ASI knowledge (e.g., coding, precise interviewing) were not significantly different among the training models (2-Day, 1-Day, ASI-TV) that shared a common a core orientation. 

Overall, the results indicate that effective, brief and cost efficient ASI training models can be successfully implemented.

Benefit:
The ASI-TV User's Guide along with the set of videotapes and interviewer tapes has been designed to serve as a flexible resource for those who wish to learn about and use the ASI correctly. 

The entire ASI-TV package provides a number of training options to select from to best meet existing needs.

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