title: Evaluation of online training on the prevention of venous thromboembolism.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The integration of new evidence into clinical practice can be a prolonged process, with delays of years or even decades. One approach to speed this integration is through the use of online provider education.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a serious patient safety issue. Prevention requires coordinated care and adherence to evidence-based guidelines, supported by provider education.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study reports how an interdisciplinary team developed and piloted an online provider training program for the prevention of VTE.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  If providers use the online educational training, they will demonstrate increased mastery of key content areas related to VTE prophylaxis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used a prospective test-retest study design in which medical residents and fellows served as their own controls. All participants were given a pretest followed by educational content and then a posttest. We also assessed 2 different types of learning content (ie, with and without case studies/questions) and randomized participants to each type prior to assessment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using the McNemar test we found a trend for knowledge gains related to VTE guidelines on the posttest for clinicians (n = 67) with a 14.5% improvement in content mastery (P = .05, 2-tailed). We did not find any significant differences between training modalities. Clinicians overall reported high levels of satisfaction with the application.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our online education efforts indicate the potential for increasing mastery of VTE prophylaxis concepts. If resources are limited, we suggest a static approach to content delivery and an exploration of standardized methods for portability of online curriculums across learning management systems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Systems, School of Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Seth
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wolpin
authors.forename: Jung-Ah
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Robb W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Glenny
authors.forename: Ann K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Wittkowsky
authors.forename: Fredric M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Wolf
authors.forename: Brenda K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Zierler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002568:Certification; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D032882:Comprehension; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D003479:Curriculum; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005257:Fellowships and Scholarships; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007396:Internship and Residency; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010348:Patient Care Team; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014481:United States; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult