Interactive Training Workshop Research Articles

Interactive training workshop to improve prostate mpMRI knowledge: results from the ESOR Nicholas Gourtsoyiannis teaching fellowship

PurposeProstate MRI is established for the investigation of patients presenting with suspected early prostate cancer. Outcomes are dependent on both image quality and interpretation. This study assessed the impact of an educational intervention on participants’ theoretical knowledge of the technique.MethodsEighty-one clinicians from two centers with varying experience in prostate MRI participated. Baseline knowledge was assessed with 10 written and image-based multiple-choice questions (MCQs) prior to a course including didactic lectures and hands-on interactive workshops on prostate MRI interpretation. Post-course, participants completed a second 10-question MCQ test, matched by format, themes, and difficulty, to assess for any improvement in knowledge and performance. Results were assessed using the Wilcoxon rank sum test, and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test for paired data.ResultsThirty-nine participants, including 25/49 (51.0%) and 14/32 (43.8%) at each center completed both assessments, with their results used for subsequent evaluation. Overall, there was a significant improvement from pre- (4.92 ± 2.41) to post-course scores (6.77 ± 1.46), p < 0.001 and at both Copenhagen (5.92 ± 2.25 to 7.36 ± 1.25) and Toronto (3.14 ± 1.51 to 5.71 ± 1.20); p = 0.005 and p = 0.002, respectively. Participants with no prostate MRI experience showed the greatest improvement (3.77 ± 1.97 to 6.18 ± 1.5, p < 0.001), followed by intermediate level (< 500 MRIs reported) experience (6.18 ± 1.99 to 7.46 ± 1.13, p = 0.058), then advanced (> 500 MRIs reported) experience (6.83 ± 2.48 to 7.67 ± 0.82, p = 0.339).ConclusionsA dedicated prostate MRI teaching course combining didactic lectures and hands-on workshops significantly improved short-term theoretical knowledge of the technique for clinicians with differing levels of experience.Critical relevance statementA dedicated teaching course significantly improved theoretical knowledge of the technique particularly for clinicians with less reporting experience and a lower baseline knowledge. The multiple-choice questions format mapped improved performance and may be considered as part of future MRI certification initiatives.Key points• Prostate MRI knowledge is important for image interpretation and optimizing acquisition sequences.• A dedicated teaching course significantly improved theoretical knowledge of the technique.• Improved performance was more apparent in clinicians with less reporting experience and a lower baseline knowledge.Graphical

A Participatory, Needs-Based Approach to Breastfeeding Training for Confinement Centres.

With a focus on traditional practices rather than evidence-based practices, breastfeeding support is sub-optimal in confinement centres (CCs). We used a participatory, needs-based approach to develop a training module for CC staff adopting Kern’s six-step approach as our conceptual framework. Of 46 identified CCs, 25 accepted our invitation to a dialogue aimed at establishing relationships and understanding their needs. An interactive training workshop was developed from the dialogue’s findings. The workshop, attended by 32 CCs (101 participants), was conducted four times over a four-month period. Questions raised by the participants reflected deficits in understanding breastfeeding concepts and erroneous cultural beliefs. Correct answers rose from 20% pre-test to 51% post-test. Post-workshop feedback showed that participants appreciated the safe environment to ask questions, raise concerns and correct misconceptions. An interview conducted 14 months later showed that while some CCs improved breastfeeding support, others made no change due to conflict between breastfeeding and traditional postnatal practices, which was aggravated by a lack of support due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A participatory approach established a trustful learning environment, helping CCs appreciate the value of learning and adopting new concepts. However, cultural perceptions take time to change, hence continuous training and support are vital for sustained changes.

Interactive workshop on writing and publishing research: reflections and lessons learned

Publishing research is an essential skill for health professionals. In India, few training programs are specifically aimed to improve scientific writing. We developed a two-day interactive training workshop to address the need of the researchers. Methods such as targeted Facebook advertising and sending emails to available collections of addresses were used to inform potential participants from diverse disciplines about the program. There were 48 participants from 15 disciplines. Half of them were females, and half were from Psychiatry. We reflected on the content and experience of the workshop and have summarized the lessons learned from it. The participants perceived the workshop to be useful and found the experience satisfying.

An evaluation of a training intervention to support the use of evidence in healthcare commissioning in England.

Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in England are responsible for the health of their populations through the services they provide, yet we know that the use of evidence to inform commissioning decisions is low. A programme of training in seven CCGs in England was instigated in a joint piece of work by the National Institute for Health Research Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care and Academic Health Science Network in the West of England, to help build an evidence informed culture in commissioning. Evidence workshops were delivered in each of the seven CCGs in the West of England by an experienced senior lecturer (the author) and local healthcare librarians. The workshop was developed by the author and an information scientist and included guidance and demonstration of a systematic evidence search covering both traditional and grey literature, and a brief look at quality of evidence including a critical appraisal activity. Participants were asked to evaluate the workshop on the day and to indicate an intended action they would take as a result of the workshop; a short follow-up interview was carried out with a sample of participants between 3 and 6 months later, to identify any longer term impact of the training. A total of 63 staff in a variety of commissioning-related roles attended the workshops between March and September 2016. 95% rated the workshop overall as either 'excellent' or 'good'. Of particular value was the involvement of the local healthcare librarian, helping to promote their expertise and services; and the discussion of grey literature as a valuable source of evidence. A variety of intended actions as a result of the training included initiating a thorough search for evidence for new projects, use of bibliographic databases, and making use of local library services for evidence searching. Follow-up interviews with nine staff revealed a positive impact in the longer-term. This ranged from simply triggering an interest in using evidence, boosting motivation and sharing information with colleagues; to changes in processes such as broadening the responsibility for finding and filtering evidence for business cases; to one clear case of financial savings resulting from a search for evidence by a senior commissioning manager. Offering short, interactive training workshops is valued by healthcare commissioners and can make a difference to their approach to and use of evidence in decision-making. There is a need for a flexible approach to the concept of evidence in healthcare commissioning, which includes the use of grey literature, and training can encourage and support the systematic search for an appraisal of this type of evidence. Tools for improving and sustaining this aspect of evidence use by commissioners are included here.

Pain Management in Nursing Home Residents: Findings from a Pilot Effectiveness-Implementation Study.

To evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of a multilevel pain management intervention in nursing homes (NHs) comprising a pain management guideline, care worker training, and pain champions. An implementation science pilot study using a quasi-experimental effectiveness-implementation (hybrid II) design. Four NHs in Switzerland. All consenting long-term residents aged 65 years and older with pain at baseline (N = 62) and all registered and licensed practical nurses (N = 61). Implementation of a contextually adapted pain management guideline, interactive training workshops for all care workers, and specifically trained pain champions. Interference from pain, worst and average pain intensity over the previous 24 hours; proxy ratings of pain with the Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia scale; and care workers' appraisal of the guideline's reach, acceptability, and adoption. Pain-related outcomes improved for self-reporting residents (n = 43) and residents with proxy rating (n = 19). Significant improvements of average pain from baseline to T1 (P = .006), and in worst pain from baseline to T1 (P = .003) and T2 (P = .004). No significant changes in interference from pain (P = .18). With regard to the implementation efforts, about 76% of care workers indicated they were familiar with the guideline; 70.4% agreed that the guideline is practical and matches their ideas of good pain assessment (75.9%) and treatment (79.7%). Implementation of a multilevel pain management intervention did significantly improve average and worst pain intensity in NH residents. However, to effect clinical meaningful changes in interference from pain, a more comprehensive approach involving other disciplines may be necessary. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:2574-2580, 2019.

Training in the implementation of prolonged exposure therapy: provider correlates of treatment outcome.

The authors examined the degree to which provider characteristics, such as profession, treatment orientation, prior experience in treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), prior experience with prolonged exposure (PE) therapy, and attitudes about PE, were related to the clinical outcomes of veterans receiving care from clinicians participating in the national Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) PE Training Program. Positive patient outcomes were achieved by providers of every profession, theoretical orientation, level of clinical experience treating PTSD, and prior PE training experience. With 1,105 providers and 32 predictors (13 provider variables), power was at least 90% power to detect an effect of β = .15. Profession was the only provider characteristic significantly related to outcomes, but the mean effect (a 2 point difference on the PTSD Checklist) was too small to be clinically meaningful. The results support the intensive training model used in the VA PE training program and demonstrate that clinicians of varying backgrounds can be trained using interactive training workshops followed by case consultation to deliver PE effectively.

Evaluating a group-based intervention to improve the safety of meat in Bodija Market, Ibadan, Nigeria

We evaluated a group-based, participatory training intervention to improve food safety among meat processors and retailers in Bodija Market, Ibadan, Nigeria. An interactive training workshop was held for Butchers Associations' representatives who were selected to pass on information and training to their group. Meat hygiene knowledge, attitude and practice was assessed before attending the workshop and afterwards (n = 63). It was also assessed for those who did not attend the workshop (n = 68) but were intended recipients of training through their association. Microbiological quality of meat was assessed before and after the workshop (n = 400 samples). After the workshop, participants significantly improved knowledge, attitude and practice in key food safety aspects; specifically, understanding sources of contamination and food-borne diseases, use of bleach and disinfectant and hand washing. Participants also shared information with an average of 18 other group members and improvements were seen in group members who did not attend the workshop but received training through their Butchers Association. Microbiological quality of meat sold also significantly improved after the intervention. In conclusion, participatory, group-based methods targeted at meat processors and retailers can improve meat hygiene knowledge, attitude and practice as well as the microbiological quality and hence safety of meat.

A collaborative quality improvement intervention was effective for promoting use of surfactant therapy in preterm infants

Horbar JD, Carpenter JH, Buzas J, et al . Collaborative quality improvement to promote evidence based surfactant for preterm infants: a cluster randomised trial. BMJ 2004;329:1004. Q Is a multifaceted...

Collaborative quality improvement to promote evidence based surfactant for preterm infants: a cluster randomised trial

Objective To test a multifaceted collaborative quality improvement intervention designed to promote evidence based surfactant treatment for preterm infants of 23-29 weeks' gestation.Design Cluster randomised controlled trialSetting and participants 114...

INCREASED ACCESS TO RESEARCH-BASED COMMUNITY STRENGTH TRAINING PROGRAMS IMPROVES FUNCTIONAL STATUS IN OLDER ADULTS

A self-sustaining network of strength and balance training programs for older adults has been created and evaluated for impact on functional status and health using an applied research model in the public health domain. The Strong Living Program (SLP) has three primary components: 1) a 12-wk research-based exercise prescription of 14 total body exercises using body weight and free weights; 2) an interactive training workshop for health care professionals and lay persons to provide detailed instruction and collateral materials and methods on how to implement, conduct and evaluate a SLP; and 3) program site visits and on-going administrative and exercise prescription support. Training workshop results showed that 91% of attendees (n = 81) were certified as SLP leaders and successfully implemented exercise programs at 27 community sites. Effectiveness of the exercise prescription was assessed using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and the Medical Outcomes Survey SF-36 (MOS) data from a sample of healthy and diseased older women and men (n = 80, mean age = 70.9 ± 7.9 yr) from five sites. SPPB score increased significantly from 10.1 ± 2.3 at baseline to 11.2 ± 1.4 at 12 wk (p = 0.000), indicating clinical improvement in lower extremity functional status. MOS results for physical function and emotional health domains at both baseline and 12 wk were in the highest quartile. Despite this potential ceiling effect, a trend towards statistical significance was seen in emotional health after 12 wk of exercise. These longitudinal data suggest that a positive impact on public health can be achieved through the expansion of the SLP applied research model and increased access to these research-based exercise programs.

An evaluation of a training workshop for pharmacists based on the Stages of Change model of smoking cessation

This paper details part of the findings of a randomised controlled trial to evaluate an interactive training workshop, based on the Stages of Change model of smoking cessation, which was commissioned from Grampian Health Promotions. Forty pharmacists and 54 pharmacy assistants from 32 Grampian community pharmacies attended the training intervention in January 1995. Participants were followed up by postal questionnaire at 0, 2 and 12 months to assess their perceptions of the value and utility of the training, and in-depth information was gathered using telephone interviews with a representative sample of participants (n = 20) 18 months after the workshop. The majority of pharmacists and pharmacy assistants thought that: the model was a good way of understanding smoking cessation; the training was a good learning experience and a good use of their time; they had been able to utilise the training; it had made a difference to the way they counselled customers; had helped them to help their customers; and had increased their job satisfaction.