Working it out: development and testing of a multimedia, vocational education program

A self-administered, CD-ROM-based, interactive multimedia psychoeducational intervention, called Working It Out, was developed to improve employment functioning for clients in substance dependency treatment. The computer-based, program's effectiveness was tested in comparison with printed material. During 2000--2001 194 clients with employment concerns in six treatment programs were randomly assigned to a CD-ROM or print material condition and evaluated at baseline and 6 months later. A main effect for improvement was observed on employment indices, but there was no condition-by-time interaction. Results suggest that clients are willing and able to use vocational rehabilitation information presented in any format, although the CD-ROM-based program received significantly better satisfaction ratings than did the print material.