A Web-Based Course on Infection Control for Physicians in Training An Educational Intervention

2006 ◽  
Vol 27 (7) ◽  
pp. 704-708 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamad G. Fakih ◽  
Iram Enayet ◽  
Steven Minnick ◽  
Louis D. Saravolatz

Objective.To evaluate the effectiveness of a Web-based course on infection control accessed by physicians in training.Design.Educational intervention.Setting.A 607-bed urban teaching hospital.Participants.A total of 55 physicians in training beginning their first postgraduate year (the iPGYl group) and 59 physicians completing their first, second, or third postgraduate year (the oPGY group).Intervention.Individuals in the iPGYl group took a Web-based course on infection control practices.Measurements.Persons in the iPGYl group who took the Web-based course completed an evaluation test consisting of 15 multiple-choice questions (total possible score, 15 points). The same test was given to persons in the oPGY group, who did not take the Web-based course. We compared scores of the Web-based test taken by subjects in the iPGYl group immediately after the course with scores of the test they took 3 months after the course and with test scores of subjects in the oPGY group.Results.The mean score (±SD) for subjects in the iPGYl group who took the Web-based course was 10.6 ± 2.2, compared with 8.0 ± 2.5 for subjects in the oPGY group (P<.001). The mean score (±SD) for subjects in the iPGYl group 3 months after completing the course decreased to 8.0 ± 2.4 (P< .001 by the paired f test). For the oPGY group, significant differences were found between the scores (±SD) for subjects in the internal medicine (9.9 ± 2.3), emergency medicine (8.4 ± 1.7), pediatrics (7.0 ± 1.7), and family medicine (5.8 ± 1.6) residency programs (P< .001); there were no significant differences in scores according to the year of residency.Conclusions.Web-based infection control courses are an attractive teaching tool for physicians in training and need to be considered for teaching infection control. The evaluation of information retention will help identify physicians in training who require further training.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanja Gustafsson ◽  
Annelie J Sundler ◽  
Elisabeth Lindberg ◽  
Pernilla Karlsson ◽  
Hanna Maurin Söderholm

Abstract Background A rapidly ageing population challenges the health care system in general and home care services in particular. Communication is a cornerstone of person-centred care. However, little research has been conducted on how to improve communication between health care professionals and older persons in home care contexts, despite research showing the importance of such interactions. The increasing demands on how to best and efficiently improve competence in health professionals is the reason why the ACTION intervention was conducted. This paper aims to describe the development and process evaluation of an educational intervention for nurse assistants (NAs) in home care and highlights the potential of self-directed web-based learning as well as the pitfalls of conducting complex interventions in home care. Methods A web-based educational intervention focusing on person-centred communication was developed that targeted NAs in home care for older persons. Twenty-seven NAs from two units in Sweden were recruited, and 23 NAs were offered the educational intervention. Data were collected from multiple sources before, during and after the intervention and were analysed using quantitative and qualitative methods. Data were extracted from the web platform and analysed to determine the NAs´ engagement in the intervention. Additionally, interviews, evaluation forms and field notes were used to evaluate the feasibility of the intervention. Results The main findings suggest that web-based education seems to be an appropriate strategy in the home care context. The majority of the NAs (91%) participated in full or in part in the intervention. During the implementation process, some adaptions were required to fit the local circumstances regarding technical support, scheduling, and the design of the lectures. The NAs perceived the format to be easy to use and flexible and appreciated the stepwise modules. The content was perceived as valuable. Conclusions Our findings show that the benefits of the web-based educational intervention included the short and focused lectures as well as its accessibility. Challenges with the implementation process included gaining access to the NAs and motivating and involving the NAs. This study emphasizes the environmental support needed to successfully conduct complex interventions, including physical, organizational and cultural aspects.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catrin Eriksson ◽  
Matilda Skinstad ◽  
Susanne Georgsson ◽  
Tommy Carlsson

BACKGROUND Long-acting reversible contraception are recommended for those who wish to prevent unintended pregnancies. Use of the Web for information about contraception is widespread, but there is a risk that patients come in contact with sources of low quality. OBJECTIVE The overarching aim was to investigate the quality of websites about long-acting reversible contraception. METHODS Swedish patient-oriented websites were identified through searches in Google (n=46 included websites). Reliability and information about treatment choices was assessed by two assessors with the DISCERN instrument, transparency was analyzed with the Journal of the Medical Association benchmarks, completeness was assessed with content analysis, and readability was analyzed with Readability Index. RESULTS The mean DISCERN was 44.1 (SD 7.7) for total score, 19.7 (SD 3.7) for reliability, 22.1 (SD 4.1) for information about treatment choices, and 2.3 (SD 1.1) for overall quality. A majority of the included websites had low quality concerning if it included information when the information was produced (87%), if it was clear which sources that were used to compile the publication (78%), and if it provided additional sources of support and information (66%). Less than half of the websites adhered to any of the JAMA benchmarks. We identified 23 categories of comprehensiveness. The most frequent was treatment mechanism, which was covered by 39 (85%) websites. The least frequent was when treatment may be initiated following an abortion, which was covered by 3 (7%) websites. Mean Readability Index was 42.5 (SD 6.3, Range 29-55) indicating moderate or difficult readability levels. CONCLUSIONS The quality of patient-oriented websites about long-acting reversible contraception is poor. There is an undeniable need to support and guide laypersons that intend to use web-based sources about contraceptive alternatives, so that they may reach informed decisions based on sufficient knowledge.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esam Halboub ◽  
Mohammed Sultan Al-Akhali ◽  
Hesham M Al-Mekhlafi ◽  
Mohammed Nasser Alhajj

Abstract Objective: The study sought to assess the quality and readability of the web-based Arabic health information on COVID-19. Methods: Selected search engines were searched on 13 April 2020 for specific Arabic terms on COVID-19. The first 100 consecutive websites from each engine were obtained. The quality of the websites was analyzed using the Health on the Net Foundation Code of Conduct (HONcode), the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmarks, and the DISCERN benchmarks instrument. The readability was assessed using an online readability calculator tool. Results: Overall, 36 websites were found eligible for quality and readability analyses. Only one website (2.7%) was HONcode certified. No single website attained a high score based on the DISCERN tool; the mean score of all websites was 31.5±12.55. Regarding JAMA benchmarks, a mean score of 2.08±1.05 was achieved by the websites; however, only 4 (11.1%) websites achieved all JAMA criteria. The average grade levels for readability were 7.2±7.5, 3.3±0.6 and 93.5±19.4 for Flesch Kincaid Grade level, SMOG, Flesch Reading Ease, respectively. Conclusion: Most of the available web-based Arabic health information on COVID-19 doesn’t have the required level of quality, irrespective of being easy to read and understand by most of the general people.


Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 141 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Madhab Ray ◽  
Santanu Guha ◽  
Bipasha Ray ◽  
Sayan Basu ◽  
Meghna Ray ◽  
...  

Background: India is going through a major economic and epidemiological transition. With the adoption of a Western lifestyle, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) has emerged as the leading cause of death. India is currently the second most populous country with a population of 1.3 billion and two-thirds of this population are less than 35 years of age. As a result, India is facing major challenges in dealing with CVD. Purpose: This study was conducted to assess the level of health awareness of CVD in school-aged children (10 to 16 years) and to evaluate the effect of a brief educational intervention in enhancing the level of awareness with a goal of developing a school-based health education program. Methods: A school-based survey was conducted in Calcutta, India in August, 2018. This involved a pre-evaluation of CVD health awareness, a short presentation on CVD, and a post-evaluation of CVD health awareness. Results: The survey involved 2,564 students from 18 schools (11 girls’, 5 boys’, 2 coeducation). The mean age of participating students was 14.6 years, 72% were girls, 55% of the students were in the 9th grade, 38% were from 10 th grade, and the rest were from a combination of 8 th ,11 th, and 12 th grades. After assessing students’ awareness in six domains with 20 multiple-choice questions, the mean pre-test score was 46.5 (SD ± 13.3) with a maximum score of 100, and the mean post-test score was 53.6 (SD ± 20.6) ( p < 0.001). Conclusions: Awareness of CVD and its risk factors was inadequate among school-aged children in Calcutta. A school-based educational program may promote awareness of CVD and adoption of healthy lifestyle practices. The results of this study may help formulate a nationwide school health program to ameliorate the morbidity and mortality of CVD in India where it has emerged as a modern epidemic.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Aboh Akande

Abstract Background: Nurses are particularly vulnerable to acquiring tuberculosis (TB) because they are in the frontline of patient care. There is inadequate implementation of cost-effective TB infection control (TBIC) measures in most health facilities. Training has been shown to be effective in improving the knowledge and work practices of nurses. This study sought to utilize a multi-method educational intervention to improve the TBIC-related knowledge and practices of nurses in two secondary health facilities in Ibadan, South-West Nigeria.Methods: This quasi-experimental study involved 200 nurses (100 each in the intervention and comparison groups). Baseline data were collected in May 2014. This was followed by training of the nurses in the intervention group. After 6 months, the second wave of data was collected and the nurses in the comparison group also received the training thereafter. The final wave of data collection took place 12 months after the commencement of the study. The mean scores of the nurses were determined and comparison was made between both groups at different time points using independent t-test.Results: The nurses in both groups were statistically comparable in their socio-demographic characteristics, and baseline mean knowledge (68.6 and 67.7%) and practice scores (79.1 and 80.6%) respectively. After the intervention group received the intervention, there were appreciable improvements in the scores at 6 months (knowledge – 85.9%, practice – 98.5%), which were significantly different from those of the comparison group (knowledge – 69.5%, practice – 78.8%). A large effect size was demonstrated in the improvement in knowledge score in the intervention group at 6 months compared with the other group (Cohen’s d η 2 {\displaystyle \eta ^{2}} = 1.7). Similarly, there were improvements in the scores of the nurses in the comparison group at 12 months after the group had also received the intervention (knowledge – 88.2%, practice – 93.5%). At this point, the mean scores between both groups were no longer significantly different. Conclusions: The improvement in post-intervention scores implies that the educational intervention adopted for this study was effective in improving TBIC among the nurses. It also underscores the importance of continuous training/retraining of nurses and other healthcare workers in improving and sustaining TBIC at health facilities.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Aboh Akande

Abstract Background: Nurses are particularly vulnerable to acquiring tuberculosis (TB) because they are in the frontline of patient care. There is inadequate implementation of cost-effective TB infection control (TBIC) measures in most health facilities. Training has been shown to be effective in improving the knowledge and work practices of nurses. This study sought to utilize a multi-method educational intervention to improve the TBIC-related knowledge and practices of nurses in two secondary health facilities in Ibadan, South-West Nigeria. Methods: This quasi-experimental study involved 200 nurses (100 each in the intervention and comparison groups). Baseline data were collected in May 2014. This was followed by training of the nurses in the intervention group. After 6 months, the second wave of data was collected and the nurses in the comparison group also received the training thereafter. The final wave of data collection took place 12 months after the commencement of the study. The mean scores of the nurses were determined and comparison was made between both groups at different time points using independent t -test. Results: The nurses in both groups were statistically comparable in their socio-demographic characteristics, and baseline mean knowledge (68.6% and 67.7%) and practice scores (79.1% and 80.6%) respectively. After the intervention group received the intervention, there were appreciable improvements in the scores at 6 months (knowledge-85.9%; practice-98.5%), which were significantly different from those of the comparison group (knowledge-69.5%, practice-78.8%). A large effect size was demonstrated in the improvement in knowledge score in the intervention group at 6 months compared with the other group (Cohen’s d = 1.7). Similarly, there were improvements in the scores of the nurses in the comparison group at 12 months after the group had also received the intervention (knowledge-88.2%, practice-93.5%). At this point, the mean scores between both groups were no longer significantly different. Conclusions: The improvement in post-intervention scores implies that the educational intervention adopted for this study was effective in improving TBIC among the nurses. It also underscores the importance of continuous training/retraining of nurses and other healthcare workers in improving and sustaining TBIC at health facilities.


2010 ◽  
Vol 105 (7) ◽  
pp. 1055-1064 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathilde Touvier ◽  
Emmanuelle Kesse-Guyot ◽  
Caroline Méjean ◽  
Clothilde Pollet ◽  
Aurélie Malon ◽  
...  

Online self-administered data collection, by reducing the logistic burden and cost, could advantageously replace classical methods based on dietitian's interviews when assessing dietary intake in large epidemiological studies. Studies comparing such new instruments with traditional methods are necessary. Our objective was to compare one NutriNet-Santé web-based self-administered 24 h dietary record with one 24 h recall carried out by a dietitian. Subjects completed the web-based record, which was followed the next day by a dietitian-conducted 24 h recall by telephone (corresponding to the same day and using the same computerised interface for data entry). The subjects were 147 volunteers aged 48–75 years (women 59·2 %). The study was conducted in February 2009 in France. Agreement was assessed by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) for foods and energy-adjusted Pearson's correlations for nutrients. Agreement between the two methods was high, although it may have been overestimated because the two assessments were consecutive to one another. Among consumers only, the median of ICC for foods was 0·8 in men and 0·7 in women (range 0·5–0·9). The median of energy-adjusted Pearson's correlations for nutrients was 0·8 in both sexes (range 0·6–0·9). The mean Pearson correlation was higher in subjects ≤ 60 years (P = 0·02) and in those who declared being ‘experienced/expert’ with computers (P = 0·0003), but no difference was observed according to educational level (P = 0·12). The mean completion time was similar between the two methods (median for both methods: 25 min). The web-based method was preferred by 66·1 % of users. Our web-based dietary assessment, permitting considerable logistic simplification and cost savings, may be highly advantageous for large population-based surveys.


2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 551-555 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahul Khanna ◽  
Gabrielle Matta ◽  
Bharat Visa ◽  
Anna Ryan

Objectives: This study explored trainee preparation for the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) written examinations. We examined the relationship between candidates’ prior psychiatry experience, preparation techniques and expenses, perceptions of the exam and a pass result. We also examined perceptions of well-being. Method: A web-based survey was sent to RANZCP trainees. The association between responses and exam outcome was analysed using SPSS Statistics 23. Results: A total of 23% ( n = 38) of the cohort responded to the survey. Respondents studied for an average of 7.8 months for the essay-style exam and 4.4 months for the multiple-choice questions. The mean months of total psychiatry experience prior to sitting was 36.1 months. Every additional 50 hours of study increased odds of passing by 23%. Respondents who believed that exam preparation would affect outcome had an almost 4-fold higher odds of passing than those who did not. Ratings of well-being before release of results were also positively associated with passing. Conclusions Trainees are sitting the written exams with clinical experience commensurate with RANZCP recommendations. Total study hours and favourable perceptions of exam processes appear to be predictors of success.


10.2196/13401 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. e13401 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alice Grady ◽  
Luke Wolfenden ◽  
John Wiggers ◽  
Chris Rissel ◽  
Meghan Finch ◽  
...  

Background Foods provided in childcare services are not consistent with dietary guideline recommendations. Web-based systems offer unique opportunities to support the implementation of such guidelines. Objective This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a Web-based menu planning intervention in increasing the mean number of food groups on childcare service menus that comply with dietary guidelines. Secondary aims were to assess the impact of the intervention on the proportion of service menus compliant with recommendations for (1) all food groups; (2) individual food groups; and (3) mean servings of individual food groups. Childcare service use and acceptability of the Web-based program were also assessed. Methods A single-blind, parallel-group randomized controlled trial was undertaken with 54 childcare services in New South Wales, Australia. Services were randomized to a 12-month intervention or usual care control. Intervention services received access to a Web-based menu planning program linked to their usual childcare management software system. Childcare service compliance with dietary guidelines and servings of food groups were assessed at baseline, 3-month follow-up, and 12-month follow-up. Results No significant differences in the mean number of food groups compliant with dietary guidelines and the proportion of service menus compliant with recommendations for all food groups, or for individual food groups, were found at 3- or 12-month follow-up between the intervention and control groups. Intervention service menus provided significantly more servings of fruit (P<.001), vegetables (P=.03), dairy (P=.03), and meat (P=.003), and reduced their servings of discretionary foods (P=.02) compared with control group at 3 months. This difference was maintained for fruit (P=.03) and discretionary foods (P=.003) at 12 months. Intervention childcare service staff logged into the Web-based program an average of 40.4 (SD 31.8) times and rated the program as highly acceptable. Conclusions Although improvements in childcare service overall menu and individual food group compliance with dietary guidelines were not statistically significant, findings indicate that a Web-based menu planning intervention can improve the servings for some healthy food groups and reduce the provision of discretionary foods. Future research exploring the effectiveness of differing strategies in improving the implementation of dietary guidelines in childcare services is warranted. Trial Registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ANZCTR): 16000974404; http://www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12616000974404.aspx


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