Article type
Year
Abstract
Background: Health systems globally promote appropriate prescribing by health care providers and safe and effective medicines use by consumers. Rx for Change (a publicly available database developed by the Cochrane Effective Practice & Care, and Consumers & Communication Review Groups) provides access to systematic reviews regarding best practices for prescribing and using medicines. We developed a training program, with knowledge user (KU) input, to promote its wider use.
Objectives: To describe the development, delivery, and evaluation of an Rx for Change training program for five medicine-focused organizations in Canada and Australia.
Methods:
Development: Interviews with KUs were conducted in each organization. A directed content analysis of interview transcripts was performed and used to develop generic and tailored training content. Delivery: Workshops were offered to all organizations. Evaluation: A survey measuring attitudes, skills, and intentions for using Rx for Change and evidence for decision-making was conducted pre-, post-, and three months after training completion.
Results: Development: Seventeen KUs participated in interviews. Themes for training content included the scope of, navigation and strategies for using Rx for Change (generic content) and practical examples on incorporating evidence within their workplace context (tailored content). Delivery: The program included an information video, a 60-minute face-to-face workshop with didactic, hands-on and interactive components, and two post-training reminders. Forty-eight people attended one of six workshops. Evaluation: ANOVA indicated statistically significant improvements in: skills for using evidence in policy decision-making F(2,117) = 8.034, P = 0.001; skills in using Rx for Change, F(2,117) = 88.58, P = 0.000; and attitudes towards Rx for Change F(2,117) = 7.079, P= 0.001. Confidence in skills for using evidence and Rx for Change was maintained three months after training (P <0.007; P <0.000).
Conclusions: Sustained improvements in skills for using evidence in policy decision-making were reported by participants in a training program developed with KU involvement.
Objectives: To describe the development, delivery, and evaluation of an Rx for Change training program for five medicine-focused organizations in Canada and Australia.
Methods:
Development: Interviews with KUs were conducted in each organization. A directed content analysis of interview transcripts was performed and used to develop generic and tailored training content. Delivery: Workshops were offered to all organizations. Evaluation: A survey measuring attitudes, skills, and intentions for using Rx for Change and evidence for decision-making was conducted pre-, post-, and three months after training completion.
Results: Development: Seventeen KUs participated in interviews. Themes for training content included the scope of, navigation and strategies for using Rx for Change (generic content) and practical examples on incorporating evidence within their workplace context (tailored content). Delivery: The program included an information video, a 60-minute face-to-face workshop with didactic, hands-on and interactive components, and two post-training reminders. Forty-eight people attended one of six workshops. Evaluation: ANOVA indicated statistically significant improvements in: skills for using evidence in policy decision-making F(2,117) = 8.034, P = 0.001; skills in using Rx for Change, F(2,117) = 88.58, P = 0.000; and attitudes towards Rx for Change F(2,117) = 7.079, P= 0.001. Confidence in skills for using evidence and Rx for Change was maintained three months after training (P <0.007; P <0.000).
Conclusions: Sustained improvements in skills for using evidence in policy decision-making were reported by participants in a training program developed with KU involvement.