Development and process evaluation of a Web-based responsible beverage service training program

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Education
• Alcohol Policy

Background:

• Traditional Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) training is typically workshop-based.
• Emergence of Web-based training programs offers new delivery methods.
• This study details the development and evaluation of an innovative online RBS program.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the formative development and design of a Web-delivered RBS program.
• To evaluate the impact of the online program on servers' knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy.
• To establish an evidence base for online RBS training.

Main Methods:

• Formative procedures included focus groups and usability testing.
• A Web-based RBS training program was developed.
• 112 professional alcohol servers participated in a pre-post assessment design.

Main Results:

• Participants demonstrated significant improvements in RBS knowledge.
• Servers showed enhanced attitudes towards responsible alcohol service.
• Self-efficacy in providing responsible service increased significantly.

Conclusions:

• The Web-based RBS program was well-received by servers.
• The development process, incorporating multidisciplinary input and end-user feedback, was successful.
• Online RBS training shows potential, addressing a gap in research and providing an effective educational tool.