Course Overview
IPTU is a five-week, facilitated, online course intended for addiction and mental health service providers who may be in a position to support someone with issues related to problem technology use.*
The course will provide an overview and introductory knowledge on important topics related to problem technology use with a focus on problem gaming and problem social media use. Topics will include general overviews, risks, assessments, treatment options, and current issues. The four online modules include a mix of didactic content, readings and forum discussions, and will take approximately 3-4 hours to complete each week. In the final week, learners will participate in a live simulation where they will role-play with a simulated patient directly, based on a case study from the course. A simulated patient is someone trained to play the role of a client. The live simulation will be hosted on WebEx and will require the use of a web camera and speakers. Participation in the simulation is required in order to receive Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
*Learners who have no clinical experience or are not in a clinical position may find that the course material is not tailored to them.
For general knowledge on problem technology use, GGTU suggests the self-directed course: Fundamentals of Gambling and Gaming.
Learning Objectives
After successfully completing the course, participants will be able to:
- Explain what problem technology use, problem gaming and problem social media are;
- Describe the harms associated with technology use focusing on gaming and social media use;
- Identify problem technology prevalence rates and trends;
- Explain what gaming and social media are and how they relate to problem technology use;
- Select relevant risk and protective factors associated with problem gaming and social media use to inform a treatment plan;
- Select screening tools and assessment questions for problem gaming and social media use to inform a treatment plan;
- Identify emerging treatment methods and planning strategies for problem gaming and social media use; and,
- Apply assessment and treatment approaches to problem technology use clients.
Certification and Accreditation
This course is accredited by the Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation for 16.0 Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
An application for accreditation has been submitted to the University of Toronto, Continuing Professional Development, Temerty Faculty of Medicine for CEUs.
Delivery Method
Online.
Course Requirements
- Pre-course quiz
- All module activities and quizzes
- Participation in one live simulation
- Post-course quiz and evaluation