Effectiveness of a model for training direct service personnel in rural and remote locations

Alaska's vast land mass and diversified urban, rural, and remote communitie s require innovative strategies to meet training needs-for direct service p ersonnel. A competency-based training programme using an independent learni ng format and master trainers was developed to meet these extreme needs. Th e training methods were evaluated with questionnaires at the end of trainin g and at 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year. The data demonstrate that the mate rials, the study format, and the master trainer model were effective and ma intained over time. We conclude that the training methods developed reliabl y address the unique needs of training in rural and remote sites, as well a s more accessible urban sites.