Men's sexual health: evaluating the effectiveness of print- and PDA-based CME.
BACKGROUND
Personal digital assistant (PDA)-based continuing medical education (CME) activities have become widely available.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of print- and PDA-based CME materials in erectile dysfunction (ED).


METHODS
CME materials describing links between ED and comorbid medical conditions, effects of certain lifestyle modifications on ED, and treatment of ED with phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors were distributed as a print supplement and as electronic modules, viewed with PDAs. We evaluated how effectively these materials improved evidence-based clinical choices, using survey questions about case vignettes and comparing responses of CME participants (N = 85) and matched nonparticipants (N = 94).


METHODS
Effect size, measuring the difference in evidence-based clinical scores between participants and nonparticipants.


RESULTS
CME certificates were awarded to 3,557 participants (459 print, 3,098 PDA). Among survey respondents, significantly more CME participants recognized that ED was associated with greater risk for myocardial infarction (61% participants; 34% nonparticipants; P <or= 0.001) and was a strong marker for diabetes mellitus (37% participants; 9% nonparticipants; P <or= 0.001). In contrast, participants and nonparticipants both displayed a good understanding of the relationships of smoking, obesity, and sedentary lifestyle with ED and of using PDE5 inhibitors to treat ED in patients with prostate cancer or benign prostatic hyperplasia; this likely reflects a good baseline understanding of these topics. Participants and nonparticipants each displayed a poor understanding of the recommendations regarding nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and PDE5 inhibitor use. Patient reluctance to discuss sexual concerns was perceived as the most significant barrier to optimal ED management.


CONCLUSIONS
Given patient reluctance to discuss sexual concerns, future CME activities should focus on educating health-care providers and patients that ED is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Both print- and PDA-based CME on ED were effective; the large number of lesson completers suggests a trend toward on-demand, self-selected CME is positive.
Broderick
Gregory A
GA
Mayo Clinic-Department of Urology, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA. brodenck.gregory@mayo.edu
Abdolrasulnia
Maziar
M
D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D034201:Computers, Handheld / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003625:Data Collection; D003657:Decision Making; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D018783:Impotence, Vasculogenic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012307:Risk Factors
D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors