SPECTROM Training for Training Group

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of New Mexico

Disqualifiers: Non-English speakers

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

55 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial focuses on testing the effectiveness of a training program called SPECTROM Training. The goal is to determine if this training can improve knowledge about psychotropic medications (drugs that affect the mind) and attitudes towards managing aggression and violence. Participants will complete two assessments before and after the 16-hour training to measure any changes. The trial seeks individuals who work in certain group homes or a psychiatric center and speak English fluently. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to valuable research that could enhance professional skills and improve patient care.

Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that the SPECTROM Training is safe?

Research has shown that SPECTROM Training is generally safe for participants. Studies have found that it helps people learn more about medications for mental health and changes their views on difficult behaviors. These studies reported no negative effects, suggesting the training is well-tolerated. As an educational program, SPECTROM Training focuses on improving understanding and attitudes, making it unlikely to cause harm. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about SPECTROM Training because it offers a novel approach to improving skills through enhanced training techniques. Unlike traditional training methods, which often rely on repetitive practice without real-time feedback, SPECTROM Training integrates advanced technology to provide immediate, personalized feedback to participants. This allows for more efficient learning and skill acquisition, potentially reducing the time required to master complex tasks. By leveraging these innovative techniques, SPECTROM Training could significantly enhance training outcomes across various fields.

What evidence suggests that the SPECTROM Training is effective for improving psychotropic knowledge and managing aggression and violence?

Research has shown that SPECTROM Training, which participants in this trial will receive, helps staff better understand psychotropic medications and improves their approach to handling challenging behaviors. One study found that participants' knowledge scores improved significantly, with better results in 22 out of 43 questions. SPECTROM Training is also practical and may help reduce the overuse of these medications. Participants in various studies have provided positive feedback about the training, indicating it is well-received and helpful. Overall, evidence suggests that SPECTROM Training can enhance understanding and management of psychotropic medication use. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for English-speaking individuals aged 18 or older who work at the 3 ARCA group homes or the UNM psychiatric center. It's designed to help them improve their understanding and management of dual diagnosis conditions.

Exclusion Criteria

All participants must be fluent in English because for this pilot study we do not have funds to translate study materials.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Training

Participants undergo the 16-hour SPECTROM training and complete assessments

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for knowledge retention and behavior management effectiveness

6 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• SPECTROM Training

Trial Overview The SPECTROM Training program, which spans over a total of 16 hours, is being tested. Participants will be assessed before and after training using two tools: the Psychotropic Knowledge Questionnaire-Revised and the Management of Aggression and Violence Attitude Scale-Revised-ID.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Training Arm Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of New Mexico

Lead Sponsor

Trials

393

Recruited

3,526,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A new psychotherapy training program, implemented in seven residency programs across the U.S., effectively introduces essential concepts of psychotherapy in a time-efficient manner.

Preliminary evaluation results from 15 trainees at the University of Missouri-Columbia showed a significant increase in self-confidence among trainees after completing the program, particularly after Module 4, indicating its potential effectiveness for psychiatric residents.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A new psychotherapy training program : description and preliminary results. Beitman, BD., Yue, D.[2014]

A voluntary training program for psychiatry residents, consisting of 6 hours of didactic instruction followed by 6 months of supervised group facilitation, significantly improved self-reported knowledge and skills in group facilitation, with 88% of participants reporting increased confidence.

Out of 23 residents who attended the training, 12 actively facilitated groups, and the positive feedback suggests that this intervention could enhance the educational experience in psychiatry residency programs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Group Training for Psychiatric Residents: Support Group Facilitation and Supervision with Didactics. Denduluri, MS., Gold, JA., Serrano, WC., et al.[2021]

The REDD-PAC cohort, established in 2017, includes over 2,500 patients with dual diagnoses of psychiatric illness and substance use disorder, providing valuable real-world data on integrated treatment outcomes from 2002 to 2017.

The primary diagnosis among patients was psychosis spectrum disorder (37.0%), and the cohort revealed that most patients were motivated for treatment, highlighting the potential for effective integrated care in this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

REDD-PAC Cohort Description: Researching Dual Diagnosis - Prognosis and Characteristics. Mårtensson, S., Johansen, KS., Krarup, J., et al.[2022]

A new training initiative for psychiatry trainees focuses on the 'recovery' paradigm, emphasizing the importance of supporting patients in their personal recovery and promoting wellbeing.

The training, which was delivered by someone with personal recovery experience and peer support expertise, received positive feedback and is set to expand nationally and internationally, highlighting its effectiveness in enhancing the training of future psychiatrists.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Integrating recovery-oriented practice into psychiatric registrar training. Stratford, A., Brophy, L., Castle, D.[2012]

A systematic review identified only 11 articles on staff training for dual diagnosis competencies from a pool of 129 potential studies, highlighting a significant lack of research in this area.

The existing studies faced issues such as small sample sizes and biases, indicating a need for more robust research to evaluate the effectiveness of dual diagnosis training and to incorporate service user perspectives.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dual diagnosis competencies: A systematic review of staff training literature. Petrakis, M., Robinson, R., Myers, K., et al.[2022]

Different treatment models (serial, parallel, and integrated) can help healthcare providers optimize resources for patients with dual diagnoses, but these models need further empirical testing to determine their effectiveness.

Pilot studies have shown positive results for interventions targeting dual diagnosis patients, highlighting the urgent need for well-designed programs to address their unique treatment needs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Clinical treatment matching models for dually diagnosed patients. Ries, R.[2005]

A study assessing 30 treatment programs in California found that only 43% met the criteria for dual diagnosis capability, indicating a need for improvement in serving clients with both mental health and substance use disorders.

Programs that received funding for both mental health and substance use services scored higher in dual diagnosis capability, suggesting that funding sources significantly impact the ability of treatment organizations to effectively support clients with co-occurring disorders.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dual Diagnosis Capability in Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment Programs. Padwa, H., Larkins, S., Crevecoeur-Macphail, DA., et al.[2022]

The dual diagnosis training program, initiated in 2003 across three NHS trusts, aimed to improve the treatment of individuals with both mental health issues and substance misuse, highlighting the importance of integrated care.

The article evaluates the first year of the program, focusing on the training provided and participants' feedback, indicating a commitment to enhancing the skills of healthcare professionals in managing complex cases.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Participants' evaluation of a training programme in dual diagnosis. Cooper, P., Doolin, N., Hemming, I., et al.[2019]

Citations

1. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-training-group-5-2024-28b32

SPECTROM Training for Training Group The research suggests that training programs for dual diagnosis (mental health and substance misuse) have been positively evaluated by participants, indicating ...

2. tandfonline.com tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19315864.2025.2501540?src=

A Feasibility Cluster RCT Involving SPECTROM Staff ... The primary outcome measure used in this study is the change in psychotropic medicine dose, particularly antipsychotics, 6-month post-SPECTROM ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12198094/

The Effect of SPECTROM Training on Support Staff ... SPECTROM training improved staff knowledge of psychotropic medicine and attitude towards challenging behaviors, particularly concerning the use of psychotropic ...

4. ebn-bmj-com.bibliotheek.ehb.be ebn-bmj-com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/content/early/2025/10/20/ebnurs-2025-104378?rss=1

From prescriptions to practice change: the effect of ... In summary, this feasibility trial shows SPECTROM training is acceptable, practical and potentially effective in reducing psychotropic overuse.

5. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/396721676_From_prescriptions_to_practice_change_the_effect_of_SPECTROM_training_in_tackling_overmedication_of_adults_with_intellectual_disabilities

the effect of SPECTROM training in tackling ... There was a post‐training improvement in PKQ‐R scores in 42 of the 43 questions (97.7%), 22 of which were statistically significant differences ...

6. mdpi.com mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/24/13161

Short-Term Psycho-Education for Caregivers to Reduce ... SPECTROM is a useful training that helps to change the support staff's attitude toward CB and improve their knowledge of psychotropic medications.

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11224887/

The impact of simulation-based training in medical education The benefits of SBT are manifold, including enhanced skill acquisition, error reduction, and the opportunity for repeated practice without risk ...

8. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/389559216_Short-Term_PsychoEducation_for_Carers_to_Help_Reduce_the_Over_Medication_of_People_with_Intellectual_Disabilities_Programme_Development_Project_SPECTROM_PDP_A_Feasibility_Randomized_Controlled_Trial_P

Short-Term PsychoEducation for Carers to Help Reduce ... There was a post‐training improvement in PKQ‐R scores in 42 of the 43 questions (97.7%), 22 of which were statistically significant differences ...