<p>Academic detailing as a method of continuing medical education</p>

Abstract

Introduction Academic detailing is an interactive educational outreach to prescribers to present unbiased, non-commercial, evidence-based information, mostly about medications, with the goal of improving patient care. Academic detailing in Norway is an approach for providing continuing medical education to general practitioners (GPs). The basis of academic detailing is a one-to-one discussion between a trained health professional (the academic detailer) and the GP at the GP’s workplace. Method Our first campaign was named “Better use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) ” , which aim was to reduce the use of diclofenac due to the risk of serious cardiovascular adverse events. At the same time we advised the GPs to use naproxen as the drug of choice if an NSAID was needed. We did a one-to-one intervention in two cities, where a trained academic detailer met the GP during office hours. A total of 247 GPs were invited to participate and 213 visits (86%) were completed. This article reviews the theoretical framework underlying the method and describes the development and implementation of academic detailing to GPs in Norway. Results More than 90% the participating GPs considered academic detailing a suitable method for providing up-to-date evidence-based, manufacturer-independent information, and nearly all would most likely or probably welcome another visit. After the intervention there was a reduction of diclofenac prescribing of 16% and 18%, respectively, in the two cities. Conclusion We consider that academic detailing is a suitable method to bring the best available evidence to the point at which care is delivered, to achieve the best for the patients. According to the Norwegian GPs’ evaluation, it is a key supplement to other methods of continuing medical education. To have maximum impact, it is important that academic detailing is practiced according to the consensus that has evolved in the USA and Australia.

Predictors of the Use of Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists in Patients With Left Ventricular Dysfunction Post‐ST‐Segment–Elevation Myocardial Infarction

“…Current routine practices of clinician education through institutional cardiology rounds or academic detailing programs may, however, have limited long‐term efficacy in meaningfully overcoming prescribing inertia. 21 , 22 Therefore, other strategies should also be explored, such as an expanded role for clinical pharmacists to initiate post‐MI therapy based upon standardized clinical criteria. 23 , 24 Furthermore, decision‐support tools may be developed to improve use of evidence‐based therapies before discharge.…”

Improving the Identification of Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels: A Pilot Project Using an Academic Detailing Approach

“…Academic Detailing (AD) may be such an approach. AD is an interactive educational outreach strategy to medical providers to present unbiased, evidence-based information to improve patient care [17]. Through AD sessions, health educators help increase medical providers' knowledge and support behavior change [17].…”

“…AD is an interactive educational outreach strategy to medical providers to present unbiased, evidence-based information to improve patient care [17]. Through AD sessions, health educators help increase medical providers' knowledge and support behavior change [17]. To inform the behavior change processes, AD synthesizes insights from theoretical models such as the transtheoretical model of behavior change and social cognitive learning theory [17].…”

“…Through AD sessions, health educators help increase medical providers' knowledge and support behavior change [17]. To inform the behavior change processes, AD synthesizes insights from theoretical models such as the transtheoretical model of behavior change and social cognitive learning theory [17]. The AD approach is flexible and lends itself to being adapted to various health issues [18].…”

A study to investigate the impact of a clinical pharmacist on post take ward round medication communication, prescribing and appropriateness

“…There are, however, limitations in the evidence supporting academic detailing, which stem from the ambiguity around the definition of this intervention for behaviour change (55). For example, the definition of academic detailing described in the literature vary from a one-on-one prescriber visit to group meetings and small seminars (55).…”