Abstract: PUB170
Continuing Education Improves Health Care Provider Knowledge and Competence in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD)
Session Information
Category: Educational Research
- 800 Educational Research
Authors
- Ravyn, Dana, CMEology, W Hartford, Connecticut, United States
- Goodwin, Beth, CMEology, W Hartford, Connecticut, United States
- Lowney, Rob, CMEology, W Hartford, Connecticut, United States
- Chapman, Arlene B., University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States
Background
Little is known about the familiarity, knowledge, and competence of nephrologists or other health care providers regarding management of patients with ADPKD. It is unclear what impact continuing education (CE) has on this topic.
Methods
Learners were invited to participate in a multimedia online certified CE activity launched in March 2018. Participants completed pre-activity and post-activity assessments. We measured commitment to change and confidence before and after the activity. Results were analyzed using the chi-square test and Cohen’s d.
Results
There were 3,799 participants, of whom 954 completed posttests. Twenty percent were physicians, 61% were nurses or physician assistants, and the remainder were other types of providers; the most common specialties were family medicine/internal medicine, nephrology, surgery, and critical care/emergency medicine. On completion, participants had increased confidence in achieving the aims of the learning objectives. Confidence in ADPKD-related practices increased after the activity, including overcoming barriers, translating evidence into care, and improving outcomes (Cohen’s d=0.319-0.374). Ten multiple-choice questions/vignettes evaluated learning in pathogenesis, genetics, imaging, diagnosis, and management. Educationally and statistically significant improvements (P<0.001) were seen for all questions. For all participants, the mean increase in score from pretest (n=1086) to posttest assessment (n=954) was 59.0% (SD=3.2; range 43-79); results for nephrology participants were not substantially different from others. Importantly, baseline scores were low in all participants and the nephrology group, suggesting suboptimal knowledge of ADPKD. Among nephrology and all participants, the mean baseline scores were 33.4% (SD=3.9) and 30.0% (SD=3.5), respectively, and the mean posttest scores for nephrology and all participants were 85.8% (SD=2.5) and 89.0% (SD=1.7), respectively.
Conclusion
A CE activity effectively improved confidence, knowledge, and competence among providers who diagnose and manage patients with ADPKD. Baseline scores were low for all participants, suggesting the need for further education and increased awareness of ADPKD, especially given the evolving role of risk assessment for disease progression and the availability of disease-modifying therapy.
Funding
- Commercial Support – Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc.