Success of Interactive, Case-Based Education on Improving Physician Clinical Competence

Abstract

We sought to determine if interactive, case-based online continuing medical education (CME) could improve the clinical competence of primary care physicians (PCPs) and diabetologists/endocrinologists (D/Es) regarding clinical application of guidelines and individualized diabetes management. A 3-question case-based and 1-question confidence linked pre-/post-assessment study design and McNemar’s chi-squared test were used. P values are shown as a measure of significance. The activity launched May 3, 2017, and data collected through June 6, 2017. PCPs (N=473) demonstrated a lower baseline knowledge level compared to D/Es (N=198) as shown by the following baseline data: 35% of PCPs compared to 61% of D/Es corrently individualized treatment for a patient with T2D and HF.22% of PCPs compared to 37% of D/Es correctly individualized treatment for a patient with newly diagnosed T2D and multiple comorbidities. Significant overall improvements (P < .05) were seen: 26% more D/Es and 36% more PCPs correctly individualized the T2D treatment regimen of a patient with comorbid HF.15% more D/Es and 11% more PCPs addressed the importance of lifestyle modification in a patient with newly diagnosed T2D.47% more D/Es and 49% more PCPs correctly individualized pharmacotherapy intensification in a patient with T2D.20% of D/Es and 32% of PCPs reported an increase in confidence initiating or intensifying treatment in patients with T2D. This study demonstrates the success of interactive, case-based education on improving clinical competence of D/Es and PCPs related to management of T2D. PCPs were found to have lower baseline knowledge and competence compared to D/Es, which is not surprising given the level of specialization in both groups. PCPs may need more foundational education related to guidelines and T2D management than D/Es. Disclosure A. Larkin: None. K.L. Hanley: None. C.S. Healy: None. A. Le: None.