title: "The ABCs of AD": A prospective evaluation of the efficacy of an educational intervention to increase knowledge of autonomic dysreflexia management among emergency health care professionals.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Despite the availability of consensus-based resources, first responders and emergency room (ER) health care professionals (HCPs) have limited knowledge regarding autonomic dysreflexia (AD) recognition and treatment. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of "The ABCs of AD" educational seminar for improving HCPs' short- and long-term knowledge of AD recognition, diagnosis, and management.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multi-center prospective pre, post, and follow-up questionnaire study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level I trauma centers with emergency departments in British Columbia, Manitoba, and Ontario.
  
  
  METHODS
  ER professionals completed measures immediately before and after (n = 108), as well as 3-months following (n = 23), attendance at "The ABCs of AD" seminar.
  
  
  METHODS
  AD knowledge test; seminar feedback.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Following the seminar, participants had higher ratings of their AD knowledge and had significantly higher AD knowledge test scores (M ± SD pre = 11.85 ± 3.88, M ± SD post = 18.95 ± 2.39, out of 22; P < 0.001, d = 2.21). Most participants believed the seminar changed their AD knowledge, and rated the seminar information as having the potential to influence and change their practice. AD knowledge test scores significantly decreased between post-seminar and 3-month follow-up (M ± SD 3mo = 17.04 ± 3.28; P = 0.004, d = -0.70); however, 3-month scores remained significantly higher than baseline.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  "The ABCs of AD" seminar improves HCPs' perceived and actual AD knowledge in the short-term. To enhance knowledge retention in both the short- and long-term, the inclusion of additional active learning strategies and follow-up activities are recommended. The seminar is being translated into an online training module to enhance the dissemination of the AD clinical practice guidelines among first responders, ER staff, and SCI practitioners.
authors.affiliation: a ICORD (International Collaboration On Repair Discoveries) , Vancouver , British Columbia , Canada.|b Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation , University of British Columbia , Vancouver , British Columbia , Canada.
authors.forename: Andrei
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Krassioukov
authors.affiliation: c Department of Kinesiology , McMaster University , Hamilton , Ontario , Canada.
authors.forename: Jennifer R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Tomasone
authors.affiliation: a ICORD (International Collaboration On Repair Discoveries) , Vancouver , British Columbia , Canada.
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pak
authors.affiliation: d Department of Medicine , Toronto Rehabilitation Institute-University Health Network, University of Toronto , Ontario , Canada.
authors.forename: B Catharine
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Craven
authors.affiliation: d Department of Medicine , Toronto Rehabilitation Institute-University Health Network, University of Toronto , Ontario , Canada.
authors.forename: Mohammad H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Ghotbi
authors.affiliation: e Department of Medicine , Winnipeg Health Sciences Centre, University of Manitoba , Winnipeg , Manitoba , Canada.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ethans
authors.affiliation: c Department of Kinesiology , McMaster University , Hamilton , Ontario , Canada.
authors.forename: Kathleen A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Martin Ginis
authors.affiliation: f Department of Surgery , Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto , Toronto , Ontario , Canada.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ford
authors.affiliation: e Department of Medicine , Winnipeg Health Sciences Centre, University of Manitoba , Winnipeg , Manitoba , Canada.
authors.forename: Dmitri
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Krassioukov-Enns
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D020211:Autonomic Dysreflexia / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000628:therapy; D019468:Disease Management; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans
keywords: Autonomic dysreflexia; Continuing medical education; Emergency care; Spinal cord injuries