Online training program to improve communication skills for HIV counselors
Official title: Interactive Internet-based Motivational Interviewing Training for HIV Counseling Support Staff to Improve Health Communication in HIV Care Interactions
Funded at Florida State University · NIH-10838750 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a fun online training program to help counselors and health workers improve their communication skills when supporting people with HIV, making it easier for them to connect and provide better care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Florida State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tallahassee, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $714,765 |
| NIH project number | 1R34MH133468-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10838750 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are HIV counseling support staff who are involved in providing care and support to individuals affected by HIV.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not involved in HIV care or do not interact with HIV counseling support staff may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to create an interactive, gamified online training program in Motivational Interviewing (MI) for HIV counseling support staff, including counselors and community health workers. The program is designed to enhance their communication skills in HIV care interactions, ensuring they can effectively engage with individuals seeking HIV-related services. By utilizing a digital platform, the training will be accessible and scalable, allowing staff to improve their MI competencies and ultimately enhance patient care. The program will be piloted to assess its effectiveness in real-world settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the quality of health communication in HIV care, leading to better patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that training programs in Motivational Interviewing can effectively improve communication skills and patient outcomes in healthcare settings.
Where this research is happening
-
Florida State University
Tallahassee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Balan, Ivan C — Florida State University
- Study coordinator: Balan, Ivan C
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.