Breaking Down the Skills: Designing and Pilot-Testing a Video-Based Microskills® Training for Sexual Health Educators

Abstract

Effective sexual health education plays a critical role in adolescent pregnancy and HIV and STI prevention. This article describes the formative research conducted to design, and then pilot-test, SkillFlix®, a streaming video training created to improve educators’ skills in delivering sexual health education to youth by modeling Microskills®. Results from pilot testing of the SkillFlix training exceeded expectations, with educators demonstrating significant improvement in integrating and successfully using two prototype Microskills: (1) correct implementation of LGBTQ inclusivity; and (2) answering of sensitive questions. Educators’ perceived skill levels also increased significantly after using SkillFlix. Skill acquisition occurred even though the educators employed content (vs. skills acquisition) focus when using the resource.