Article type
Year
Abstract
Background:
Although Cochrane has emphasised the role of online continuing medical education (CME) in dissemination of systematic review (SR) findings, it has not proposed specific strategies for the incorporation of SR contents into CME programs.
Objectives:
We developed a suite of online CME modules targeting health professionals based upon Cochrane SRs.
Methods:
CME modules are based upon published Cochrane SRs addressing gastrointestinal, back, inflammatory bowel, and musculoskeletal conditions. Each module includes five multiple choice questions plus a fictional and memorable vignette featuring 'Dr. Cochrane'. Vignettes are produced through a multi-step editorial process to ensure scientific, editorial, and educational rigour. The CME modules are accredited by The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, the College of Family Physicians Canada, and The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education of the United States of America. Since September 2013 the program is accessible worldwide. A five-point rating scale (from 0 (poor) to 5 (excellent)) was used to evaluate satisfaction, quality of educational content and changes in knowledge and practice.
Results:
Sixty Cochrane vignettes have been published on the Cochrane Learning platform to date. Between inception and January 2014, a total of 600 accesses were recorded by diverse health professionals across nearly 70 countries. The average overall evaluation and quality of the educational content was rated as 3.91. The majority of users strongly agreed (4.19) that they would apply the knowledge and skills derived from the Cochrane vignettes to practice while expressing confidence (3.74) that the activity will improve their professional effectiveness. The rate of access considerably increased in December, reflecting the need for clinicians to complete their annual credit requirements.
Conclusions:
“Dr. Cochrane” is an innovative program that provides health professionals with the opportunity to improve patient outcomes and the efficient use of healthcare system resources. CME programs represent an opportunity to improve the relevance and accessibility of Cochrane SRs.
Although Cochrane has emphasised the role of online continuing medical education (CME) in dissemination of systematic review (SR) findings, it has not proposed specific strategies for the incorporation of SR contents into CME programs.
Objectives:
We developed a suite of online CME modules targeting health professionals based upon Cochrane SRs.
Methods:
CME modules are based upon published Cochrane SRs addressing gastrointestinal, back, inflammatory bowel, and musculoskeletal conditions. Each module includes five multiple choice questions plus a fictional and memorable vignette featuring 'Dr. Cochrane'. Vignettes are produced through a multi-step editorial process to ensure scientific, editorial, and educational rigour. The CME modules are accredited by The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, the College of Family Physicians Canada, and The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education of the United States of America. Since September 2013 the program is accessible worldwide. A five-point rating scale (from 0 (poor) to 5 (excellent)) was used to evaluate satisfaction, quality of educational content and changes in knowledge and practice.
Results:
Sixty Cochrane vignettes have been published on the Cochrane Learning platform to date. Between inception and January 2014, a total of 600 accesses were recorded by diverse health professionals across nearly 70 countries. The average overall evaluation and quality of the educational content was rated as 3.91. The majority of users strongly agreed (4.19) that they would apply the knowledge and skills derived from the Cochrane vignettes to practice while expressing confidence (3.74) that the activity will improve their professional effectiveness. The rate of access considerably increased in December, reflecting the need for clinicians to complete their annual credit requirements.
Conclusions:
“Dr. Cochrane” is an innovative program that provides health professionals with the opportunity to improve patient outcomes and the efficient use of healthcare system resources. CME programs represent an opportunity to improve the relevance and accessibility of Cochrane SRs.