Effectiveness Of Online CME At Improving Cardiologists' And Pcps' Knowledge And Confidence Related To Management Of Cardiac Amyloidosis

Abstract

Synopsis Despite advances in hATTR management, patients experience delays in diagnosis and initiation of targeted treatment, resulting in suboptimal management. [Tuzovic 2017] Objectives/Purpose We sought to determine if online continuing medical education (CME) could improve the knowledge and confidence of cardiologists and primary care physicians (PCPs) related to diagnostic strategies to improve diagnosis of cardiac TTR amyloidosis. Methods This CME intervention comprised of a 30-minute online video-based roundtable discussion between 3 expert faculty. Responses to 3 multiple-choice, knowledge questions and 1 self-efficacy, 5-point Likert scale confidence question were analyzed using a repeated pairs pre-/post-assessment study design. A chi-square test (P <.05 is considered significant) assessed pre- to post-activity change. The activity launched March 26, 2020 and data were collected through June 10, 2020. Results In total, 367 cardiologists and 263 PCPs were included in the study. Overall, there were knowledge and confidence improvements seen among all groups from pre- to post-assessment: • 18% of cardiologists (P=.0002) and 20% of PCPs (P<.0001) improved at selecting the appropriate test to achieve a definitive diagnosis of cardiac TTR amyloidosis • 17% of cardiologists (p<.001) and 16% of PCPs (P=.0105) improved at identifying the appropriate collaborative care strategy to improve management of a patient diagnosed with cardiac TTR amyloidosis who presents with symptoms of polyneuropathy • 44% of cardiologists and 38% of PCPs had a measurable increase in confidence in ability to implement collaborative care strategies to manage patients with cardiac TTR amyloidosis Continued educational gaps: • 46% of cardiologists and 70% of PCPs failed to select appropriate diagnostic test to definitively diagnose cardiac TTR amyloidosis • 17% of cardiologists and 37% of PCPs failed to identify the most appropriate collaborative care strategy for a patient with cardiac TTR amyloidosis presenting with symptoms of polyneuropathy Conclusion: This study demonstrates the success of online CME on improving knowledge and confidence of cardiologists and PCPs related to diagnosis of cardiac TTR amyloidosis and effective collaborative care strategies to improve disease management. Continued gaps were identified for future educational targets. Despite advances in hATTR management, patients experience delays in diagnosis and initiation of targeted treatment, resulting in suboptimal management. [Tuzovic 2017] We sought to determine if online continuing medical education (CME) could improve the knowledge and confidence of cardiologists and primary care physicians (PCPs) related to diagnostic strategies to improve diagnosis of cardiac TTR amyloidosis. This CME intervention comprised of a 30-minute online video-based roundtable discussion between 3 expert faculty. Responses to 3 multiple-choice, knowledge questions and 1 self-efficacy, 5-point Likert scale confidence question were analyzed using a repeated pairs pre-/post-assessment study design. A chi-square test (P <.05 is considered significant) assessed pre- to post-activity change. The activity launched March 26, 2020 and data were collected through June 10, 2020. In total, 367 cardiologists and 263 PCPs were included in the study. Overall, there were knowledge and confidence improvements seen among all groups from pre- to post-assessment: • 18% of cardiologists (P=.0002) and 20% of PCPs (P<.0001) improved at selecting the appropriate test to achieve a definitive diagnosis of cardiac TTR amyloidosis • 17% of cardiologists (p<.001) and 16% of PCPs (P=.0105) improved at identifying the appropriate collaborative care strategy to improve management of a patient diagnosed with cardiac TTR amyloidosis who presents with symptoms of polyneuropathy • 44% of cardiologists and 38% of PCPs had a measurable increase in confidence in ability to implement collaborative care strategies to manage patients with cardiac TTR amyloidosis Continued educational gaps: • 46% of cardiologists and 70% of PCPs failed to select appropriate diagnostic test to definitively diagnose cardiac TTR amyloidosis • 17% of cardiologists and 37% of PCPs failed to identify the most appropriate collaborative care strategy for a patient with cardiac TTR amyloidosis presenting with symptoms of polyneuropathy Conclusion: This study demonstrates the success of online CME on improving knowledge and confidence of cardiologists and PCPs related to diagnosis of cardiac TTR amyloidosis and effective collaborative care strategies to improve disease management. Continued gaps were identified for future educational targets.