PS2-29: Development, Implementation and Evaluation of a Web-based Curriculum on Pharmaceutical Marketing and Prescribing

Abstract

Background/Aims: To develop, implement, and evaluate a web-based curriculum on drug marketing and prescribing with funding from off-label marketing lawsuit settlement funds. Methods: Content experts developed a course entitled “Optimal Prescribing” in two stages: a live pilot and a web-based course consisting of modules with slides, video clips, narration, cases, interviews, and interactive elements. The course was presented to physicians and midlevel providers from the Lovelace Health System in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Feedback was collected at the live pilot and participants were surveyed later, as well as a control group of providers who did not attend the pilot course, to assess the impact of the education on attitudes about relationships with industry representatives, the amount and source of information that guides prescribing decisions, and self-reported changes in prescribing patterns. Data were analyzed and summarized to revise the material to produce web-based modules for use by prescribers in the public domain. The final web-based, 3-credit course includes a pretest, posttest, and a 90-day follow up survey, which are currently being collected. Results: In the first two months the course was available, 173 people accessed it and 40 successfully completed it, earning credit (16 more took the posttest, but did not pass). Initial reports on the learner’s performance show improvements on all posttest questions. Of the 20 questions 17 showed >10% improvement, with a maximum 37.12% improvement. The greatest improvements were in the learner’s ability to: acknowledge the fact that even very brief sales calls can result in a 16% increase in drug sales, distinguish absolute from relative risk reduction, and identify acceptable evidence for off-label choices. Of the total users, 78% would recommend this course to colleagues (29.35% said yes, enthusiastically). Conclusions: Optimal Prescribing has been piloted, revised, and launched as a web-based course, and is being accessed by a number of people with positive results; however, less than 25% have fully utilized the course and earned continuing education credit. Data collection and analysis will continue over the remainder of the 3-year life of the course and may lead to improvements in course design.