BACKGROUND: There is a broad need to improve physician continuing medical education (CME) in the management of intimate partner violence (IPV). However, there are only a few examples of successful IPV CME programs, and none of these are suitable for widespread distribution. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial beginning in September 2003 and ending in November 2004. Data were analyzed in 2005. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-two primary care physicians in small (fewer than eight physicians), community-based medical offices in Arizona and Missouri. INTERVENTION: Twenty-three physicians completed a minimum of 4 hours of an asynchronous, multi-media, interactive, case-based, online CME program that provided them flexibility in constructing their educational experience ("constructivism"). Control physicians received no CME. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Scores on a standardized self-reported survey, composed of ten scales of IPV knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and self-reported behaviors (KABB) administered before randomization and repeated at 6 and 12 months following the CME program. RESULTS: Use of the online CME program was associated with a significant improvement in eight of ten KABB outcomes, including physician self-efficacy and reported IPV management practices, over the study period. These measures did not improve in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The Internet-based CME program was clearly effective in improving long-term individual educational outcomes, including self-reported IPV practices. This type of CME may be an effective and less costly alternative to live IPV training sessions and workshops.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: There is a broad need to improve physician continuing medical education (CME) in the management of intimate partner violence (IPV). However, there are only a few examples of successful IPV CME programs, and none of these are suitable for widespread distribution. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial beginning in September 2003 and ending in November 2004. Data were analyzed in 2005. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-two primary care physicians in small (fewer than eight physicians), community-based medical offices in Arizona and Missouri. INTERVENTION: Twenty-three physicians completed a minimum of 4 hours of an asynchronous, multi-media, interactive, case-based, online CME program that provided them flexibility in constructing their educational experience ("constructivism"). Control physicians received no CME. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Scores on a standardized self-reported survey, composed of ten scales of IPV knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and self-reported behaviors (KABB) administered before randomization and repeated at 6 and 12 months following the CME program. RESULTS: Use of the online CME program was associated with a significant improvement in eight of ten KABB outcomes, including physician self-efficacy and reported IPV management practices, over the study period. These measures did not improve in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The Internet-based CME program was clearly effective in improving long-term individual educational outcomes, including self-reported IPV practices. This type of CME may be an effective and less costly alternative to live IPV training sessions and workshops.
Authors: Patricia A Carney; David W Nierenberg; Catherine F Pipas; W Blair Brooks; Therese A Stukel; Adam M Keller Journal: JAMA Date: 2004-09-01 Impact factor: 56.272
Authors: Linda L Casebeer; Sheryl M Strasser; Claire M Spettell; Terry C Wall; Norman Weissman; Midge N Ray; Jeroan J Allison Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2003-09-25 Impact factor: 5.428
Authors: Robert L Williams; Laurie McPherson; Alberta Kong; Betty Skipper; Nancy Weller Journal: J Am Board Fam Med Date: 2009 Jul-Aug Impact factor: 2.657