Clinicians prefer simple educational tools for implementing practice change

Abstract

Background: Successful implementation of practice change requires educational tools that engage and motivate clinicians. Aim: To examine clinician usage and preference for different educational tools when a multifaceted strategy was used for implementation of new recommendations for managing newborns at risk of sepsis. Methods: Seminars, web-based tutorial, handouts, pocket cards and web-based management algorithm were used to educate health professionals. Ninety-two clinicians attended seminars and completed feedback questionnaires that included three questions assessing knowledge of the recommendations. After 3 months, an electronic survey containing the same questions was sent to 41 key stakeholders (staff neonatologists, trainee physicians, nurse practitioners and respiratory therapists) who provided patient care during the implementation period. Compliance with recommendations was assessed by chart audit. Results: Seminar content was helpful to 97% of participants and 88% were comfortable using the recommendations. Response rate for the 3-month survey was 80%. The most frequently used and useful tools were pocket cards (76%) and seminars (76%); 79% continued to use the card. Only one respondent used the web tutorial and four used the algorithm. There was no significant difference in percent correct responses to the questions between the two timepoints ( p 4 0.05). Compliance with the recommendations was 83%. Conclusions: When provided with different educational tools, clinicians prefer pocket cards and seminars -tools that are simple and readily accessed.

Nutrition education tools used in phenylketonuria: clinician, parent and patient perspectives from three international surveys

“…1). Interestingly, in the study performed by Jeffries & Vibhuti (2011), it was noted that, when provided with different educational tools, clinicians prefer to learn from pocket cards and seminars (i.e. tools that are simple and readily accessible).…”

The Efficacy and Use of a Pocket Card Algorithm in Status Epilepticus Treatment

“…Studies have shown that pocket cards are a preferred educational tool even when other options for learning are available. 22 The clinical utilization of any pocket card is related to the context and the user's perception of clinical relevance, which itself has many mitigating factors. It can be speculated that pocket cards may be more valuable for novice practitioners.…”

“…One previous study showed that web-based resources were self-reported to be used less than a pocket card resource but qualify that the web-based resource required log in and several steps to access as a possible explanation. 22 The PDF electronic version in this study could be saved easily on any portable device and later accessed with a few clicks. Most participants expressed a preference for the laminated hard copy, although some did prefer to have both available.…”

“…20,21 Pocket cards can be easily accessed to help implement and standardize practice among busy clinicians, especially in emergency scenarios. 22 Desirable features of pocket cards are the ease-of-use, portability, and convenience. 23 A pocket card for palliative care was previously evaluated with focus groups to define desirable features, which included a smaller size card with larger font, color, and the presence of dosages.…”

Sepsis –Who Cares?

“…Online resources should be judiciously utilized for training and public awareness. [23] Industry partnership should be sought for education and research. Industry is seen shying away from clinical research in sepsis for various reasons.…”