A Novel Global Public–Private Partnership Approach to Physician Education in Medical Nutrition

Abstract

Abstract Objectives To assess a real-world global hybrid pediatric nutrition education program by measuring 1) e-learning test scores and percieved program ratings; and, 2) perceived quality of the overall program and participants’ plan to change their practice following a live symposium. Methods Retrospective cohort study of a novel hybrid global pediatric medical nutrition program using a public–private partnership framework that included academia, an educational platform, and industry. Following a pilot in India (2014) that was expanded to neighboring countries (2015), a one-year e-learning course followed by a live symposium was launched in 88 countries (2016–2018). Demographic data was comprised of characteristics such as age and country of practice using World Bank country income (WBCI) grouping. Program assessment include e-learning scores (knowledge scores) and ratings (perceived course quality and relevance to practice) as well as live symposium ratings (perceived quality of overall program and plan to change practice). A test scoring ≥70% was considered a ‘passing’ score to move to the next module. Likert scales (1 to 5) were used to rate perceived quality and relevance of/change to clinical practice (mean ± SD). Descriptive and ANOVA analyses were used. Results The sample consisted of 15,535 individuals. The e-learning completion rate was 96.6% (n = 15,009/15,535). The overall average e-learning testing scores was 86.3 ± 6.7 but these scores varied significantly by WBCI grouping (P < 0.0001). Using a Likert scale, the average perceived quality of e-learning was 4.18 ± 1.03, while that for clinical relevance was 4.12 ± 1.04 (n = 15,009). Of 3775 participants in the live symposium, 93.1% rated the quality of the symposium as ‘very good’ to ‘excellent’ while 86.7% of respondents planned to change their practice (n = 1779/2052). Conclusions The major finding of this study is that real-world global hybrid pediatric nutrition education is feasible, clinically relevant and as a result, a majority of respondents plan to change their practice. The findings of this study confirm recent views from global governmental and nongovernmental organizations, that public–private partnerships may be key to improving healthcare professional education and their practice. Funding Sources Nestlé Nutrition.