The objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the relative effectiveness of two approaches to staff training. Multidisciplinary mental health staff, receiving a standard training programme (N = 45), were compared on multiple measures with an experimental group (N = 11), receiving a programme featuring a “relapse prevention” module. This module was designed to improve the transfer of the training. The staff receiving the relapse prevention module reported significantly greater generalization of the training. Participant variables, the delivery of the training and work environment factors did not appear to explain this favourable finding. It is concluded tentatively that a relapse prevention module shows promise as a facilitator of the transfer of training in psychosocial interventions for severe mental illness.
