Comparison of Virtual and In-Person Tobacco Treatment Specialist Training

Abstract

Purpose: There is limited research comparing virtual and in-person tobacco treatment specialist (TTS) training. As a result of COVID-19, the Duke-UNC (University of North Carolina) Tobacco Treatment Specialist Training Program (Duke-UNC TTS) transitioned from an in-person to a virtual format, allowing for a comparison of these two training formats. Methods: We conducted an observational study comparing Duke-UNC TTS attendance and evaluations at three courses provided in person in 2019 with the same three courses provided virtually in 2020. Results: The transition from in-person to virtual format was associated with more than a doubling of course attendance. The in-person format enrolled 112 participants; the virtual format enrolled 232 participants, p < 0.05. The virtual format was associated with more than two times the proportion of out-of-state participant attendance. The in-person format enrolled 22.3% out-of-state attendees; the virtual format enrolled 52.8% out-of-state attendees, p < 0.05. Course evaluations showed similar quality scores for measuring perceived knowledge acquisition and course satisfaction. Conclusions: The virtual TTS training format had higher attendance and wider geographical reach without significantly losing quality than the in-person training format. Accordingly, TTS training programs should consider the continued delivery of training through interactive virtual formats to increase accessibility for participants.