Upender Mehan, MD (Waterloo-Wellington LIHN); Cynthia Lebovics, CDE (sanofi-aventis Canada); Hollie Devlin, MSc (Veritas Communications)

Synopsis

We employed a 4-part evaluator to assess learner engagement, intent-to-change and knowledge transfer in a multi-faceted, point-of-care educational program that was deployed through an iPad application. Learners included family physicians, two diabetes specialist and 8 diabetes nurses. Compared to previous similar paper-based programs, we found that more learners remained engaged through all elements of the program, and more completed each element.

Purpose

To assess the effectiveness of a multi-faceted, iPad application-based point-of-care CHE program designed to engage learners to assess their current practice and reflect on their behaviour regarding the identification and assessment of patients with uncontrolled diabetes.

Methods

Learners used an iPad-based application to provide feedback and data. To determine the effectiveness of the program with respect to learner engagement, knowledge transfer and behaviour intentto-change, participants completed a program evaluator at 1) at baseline, 2) following the educational program, 3) after assessing 15 patients with diabetes with A1C levels > 7.0, and 4) three months following a reflective peer-to-peer discussion and share-the-learning workshop.The evaluator comprised a questionnaire that included case vignettes and multi-part knowledge and practice-focused questions. Baseline questionnaire results were compared against results from later phase questionnaires to measure engagement during the program and intent-to-change as a result of the program.

Results

Of the 105 physicians who participated in the point-of-care education program, 78% completed the first evaluator, 80% the second, 73% the third and 50% the fourth evaluator. Fifty-two participants (50% of total) completed all four evaluators.

Conclusions

This program allowed physicians to assess their treatment and management approaches toward patients with diabetes with elevated A1Cs(>7.0).Fifty percent of participants remained engaged throughout the program. Past paper-based programs have yielded 23-50% less response at the later stages of program evaluation and an overall 50% less response. An understanding of the effectiveness of each of the components of the program was gained through the 4-part evaluator.

Funding Sources

Funding provided by an unrestricted grant from sanofi-aventis Canada.