Projects

Through collaboration between the Clearinghouse and AFMOA, a working group was established to develop a training to identify and promote best practices in providing high-quality care and ensuring empathic responding to victims of sexual assault. This work resulted in the creation of the Compassionate Care Training. This Compassionate Care training was comprised of three components. First, the learner completed two, asynchronous Computer Based Training (CBT) modules including knowledge check quiz items and video vignettes. The first module, Sexual Assault Trauma, Re-victimization, and Providing Compassionate Care, outlined core knowledge required when working with victims of sexual assault within a military context. Learning objectives included: integrating basic knowledge of sexual assault trauma; identifying reporting requirements and definitions according to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ); identifying basic processes occurring before, during, and after trauma; and recognizing re-victimization and other types of trauma that can occur in the treatment of victims of sexual assault. The second module, Dispelling Myths, Self-Care, and Compassionate Care for Sexual Assault Victims, identified common misinformation regarding sexual assault, encouraged the learner to examine their own biases, and promoted self-care when providing care to victims of sexual assault. Notably, in module 2, branching occurred at the mid-point of the training allowing for the presentation of tailored training information targeted toward either mental health care providers and technicians or administrative staff. The final and third component of the training was a group discussion activity facilitated by the clinic leadership at each respective base. The primary aim of the group discussion was to allow staff to process their reactions to the training content and discuss how the identified best practices might inform day-to-day practice in the clinic. In addition, a script was developed to aid the discussion facilitator. Moreover, thought activities and video vignettes were generated to enhance the group discussion activity.