Brief Virtual Workshop on Gambling Disorder to Raise Knowledge and Awareness Among Health Service Providers

Abstract

Gambling disorder is a "hidden disease" due to the lack of visible markers. It often negatively affects multiple domains of a person's life and predicts adverse physical, mental, social, and financial outcomes. Health service settings are suited for early detection of gambling disorder because of its comorbid medical conditions and due to the trust patients have in their health service providers (HSPs). However, HSPs often lack the knowledge needed to screen for this disorder and to make appropriate referrals. This paper reports a quasi-experimental wait-list control study (experimental group n = 18; wait-list control group n = 14), with cross-over and a twelve-week follow-up which assessed whether a brief virtual gambling disorder training entitled Gambling Know More could improve gambling disorder knowledge among HSPs. Results showed workshop participation caused a significant increase in gambling disorder knowledge immediately after the workshop and twelve weeks later. Participation in Gambling Know More bodes well for increasing early detection of gambling disorder and appropriate treatment referrals among HSPs. Findings have important policy implications for the training of HSPs.

Keywords: Brief workshop; Gambling; Gambling disorder; Problem gambling; Secondary prevention; Virtual training.