Expanding Training Opportunities for Certified QPR Instructors

Introduction and background
To expand and build upon the success of face-to-face gatekeeper training, we hope to leverage the power of the World Wide Web and distance learning education to train more gatekeepers. E-learning provides greater convenience, access, and affordability and also allows us to meet the needs of shift workers and the rural and frontier communities.

Research to date shows equal gains in knowledge and high levels of reported satisfaction with both the classroom and online delivery of QPR training. As you know, basic QPR + a role-play experience usually requires from 90 minutes to two hours. We are, at present, conducting research on the effectiveness of the role-play dimension of the QPR training program but do not have evidence yet to support it as a requirement of training.

We do recommend a role-play experience as part of QPR training wherever possible. A catalogue of role-plays has been provided to you on the Web site under QPR Instructor Resources.

Expanded opportunities
To expand our opportunities to teach QPR to those in remote or rural areas, to those who work 24/7 shifts, or to organizations and businesses that cannot afford a Certified QPR Instructor onsite, we are recommending the following QPR training options:

  1. Standard face-to-face QPR training in the traditional, small group setting (1 hour).
  2. Standard face-to-face QPR training in small group setting, with structured role-play experience (90 minutes to 2 hours)
  3. Individual self-paced online QPR training (1 hour to 90 minutes)
  4. Individual self-paced online QPR training, with role-play experience provided via video conference or in a face-to-face small group setting. (90 minutes to 2 hours)

Should Certified QPR Instructors elect to use a blend of online and face-to-face training for the role-play experience, including interactive video-conference technology or telephone conference call, the following two-phase training process is recommended:

Phase 1
Participants complete QPR online program and earn a Certificate of Course Completion, which can be provided to a Certified QPR Instructor as proof of having successfully passed the knowledge portion of the QPR training program. QPR booklets and cards can be distributed to online learners in a face-to-face follow up meeting; otherwise participants are mailed these hard copy materials directly.


Phase 2
Certified QPR Instructors meet with small groups of participants who have passed the online portion of the training for not less than 45 minutes. This face-to-face session must include, but is not restricted to, the following:

A wide variety of role-plays are available on the Instructor's area of the QPR Web site.