Results of a CME-certified activity completed by a total of 986 cardiologists and 783 haematologists-oncologists (haem-oncs) from around the world were examined to determine whether virtual patient simulation could improve decision-making and performance within the simulation related to patient evaluation, tailoring anticoagulant therapy, and patient management to improve adherence using patient-centred care strategies. Results showed a significant overall impact of education from pre-to post-clinical guidance (CG) on correct decisions made in both cases for cardiologists, with a relative improvement of 22% for Case 1 (45% pre-to 55% post-CG, n = 475, t(474) = 14.12, P<.001, Cohen's d =.46) and 19% for Case 2 (62% pre-to 74% post-CG, n = 245, t(244) = 11.95, P<.001, Cohen's d =.59). Impact also was seen for haem-oncs, with a relative improvement of 27% for Case 1 (45% pre-to 57% post-CG, n = 280, t(279) = 11.91, P <.001, Cohen's d =.60) and 19% for Case 2 (63% pre-to 75% post-CG, n = 147, t(146) = 9.52, P <.001, Cohen's d =.58). Virtual patient simulation improved cardiologists' and haem-oncs management of patients with pulmonary embolism in a simulated environment.
Introduction: Although statins represent the cornerstone of dyslipidemia treatment, certain statins may increase the incidence of new-onset diabetes mellitus (DM). This study was conducted to determine if online continuing medical education (CME) could improve knowledge/competence of diabetologists/endocrinologists (D/E) and primary care physicians (PCPs) in tailoring statin therapy to reduce the risk for DM.
Methods: Physicians participated in at least one of two 30-minute video-based online CME activities. The activities addressed educational themes related to effects of statins on lipid metabolism and tailoring statin therapy to reduce the risk of DM. 6 matching pre-education/post-education questions associated with these themes were analyzed by comparing participant responses from pre- to post-education using a repeated-pairs design. For all questions combined, the McNemar’s chi-square test was used to assess differences from pre- to post-assessment.
Results: Significant improvements (P < .05) were seen after education across both CME activities for D/E (N=438) and PCPs (N=1023). For all questions combined, average relative improvements in knowledge/competence were 44% for D/E and 73% for PCPs (P<.05). Pre-assessment, the average correct response rate was 43% for D/E and 48% for PCPs, while post-assessment average correct response rates were 62% and 83%, respectively. Significant improvements were observed (all P<.05): effect of statins on glucose metabolism: 49% relative improvement among D/E (43% vs. 64%) and 103% improvement among PCPs (37% vs. 75%). Tailoring statin therapy to reduce the risk of DM: 64% improvement among D/E (50% vs. 82%).
Conclusions: This study demonstrates the success of online CME on improving knowledge/competence of D/E and PCPs regarding tailoring lipid-lowering strategies in high-risk patients. Properly implemented, this type of intervention can translate into improvements in guideline-based patient care and improve long-term outcomes for at-risk patients.
Disclosure
J. Spyropoulos: None. C.S. Healy: None.
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