title: Randomized trial of two e-learning programs for oral health students on secondary prevention of eating disorders.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to test whether an interactive, web-based training program is more effective than an existing, flat-text, e-learning program at improving oral health students' knowledge, motivation, and self-efficacy to address signs of disordered eating behaviors with patients. Eighteen oral health classes of dental and dental hygiene students were randomized to either the Intervention (interactive program; n=259) or Alternative (existing program; n=58) conditions. Hierarchical linear modeling assessed for posttest differences between groups while controlling for baseline measures. Improvement among Intervention participants was superior to those who completed the Alternative program for three of the six outcomes: benefits/barriers, self-efficacy, and skills-based knowledge (effect sizes ranging from 0.43 to 0.87). This study thus suggests that interactive training programs may be better than flat-text e-learning programs for improving the skills-based knowledge and self-efficacy necessary for behavior change.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa, FL 33612;. rdebate@health.usf.edu.
authors.forename: Rita D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: DeBate
authors.forename: Herbert H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Severson
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cragun
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bleck
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gau
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Merrell
authors.forename: Carley
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cantwell
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Christiansen
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Koerber
authors.forename: Scott L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Tomar
authors.forename: Kelli McCormack
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Lisa A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Tedesco
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hendricson
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Taris
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000193:education*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods*; D004497:Education, Dental; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007858:Learning; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D009909:Oral Health / Q000193:education*; D055502:Secondary Prevention / Q000193:education; D020377:Self Efficacy; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: dental education; dental hygiene education; disordered eating behaviors; e-learning; eating disorders