Brenna Lynn, PhD (University of British Columbia, Faculty of Medicine, Division of Continuing Professional Development, Deptartment of Family Practice); Steve Wong, MD, FRCPC (Clinical Assistant Professor & Medical Director – ThisChangedMyPractice, University of British Columbia, Faculty of Medicine, Division of Continuing Professional Development); Nina Zoric, BSc(Hons) (University of British Columbia, Faculty of Medicine, Division of Continuing Professional Development); Tanuja Barker, MSc (University of British Columbia, Faculty of Medicine, Division of Continuing Professional Development); Chloe Wu, MSc, MEd (University of British Columbia, Faculty of Medicine, Division of Continuing Professional Development)

Synopsis

ThisChangedMyPractice is an innovative online educational initiative that offers a popular, fast and an interactive method to translate practice relevant information into practice improvement for physicians.

Purpose

To tackle the disjuncture between the growing amount of emerging medical information and increasing time demands on physicians, an online educational blog was developed in April 2010 to share key insights into significant practice changing recommendations.

Methods

This Changed My Practice (TCMP) is a blog authored by key physician opinion leaders in BC. Every two weeks a new, accredited posting is emailed to family physicians and specialists. Each blog posting details information on clinical trials or tips that the author has found to be truly impactful in the following format: 1) what I did before; 2) what changed my practice; 3) what I do now. Postings are designed to be read in less than three minutes, with links made to further references. Active learning is promoted by giving readers the opportunity to comment, ask questions and vote on the impact to their practice.

Results

The TCMP site has been immensely popular, engaging a large number of physicians (over 2000 visitors monthly) in an active learning community. Physicians appear receptive to the TCMP format for sharing clinical trials and tips with 76% voting that they will or most likely will change their practice as a result. The content and delivery format of TCMP has been designed and continues to be adapted to meet the learning needs of physicians.

Conclusion

TCMP has proven to be a highly popular format for online learning and can promote physician practice improvement.

Funding Sources

UBC Continuing Professional Development (UBC CPD) and Department of Family Practice, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia