title: Use of spaced education to deliver a curriculum in quality, safety and value for postgraduate medical trainees: trainee satisfaction and knowledge.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Quality, patient safety and value are important topics for graduate medical education (GME). Spaced education delivers case-based content in a structured longitudinal experience. Use of spaced education to deliver quality and safety education in GME at an institutional level has not been previously evaluated.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To implement a spaced education course in quality, safety and value; to assess learner satisfaction; and to describe trainee knowledge in these areas.
  
  
  METHODS
  We developed a case-based spaced education course addressing learning objectives related to quality, safety and value. This course was offered to residents and fellows about two-thirds into the academic year (March 2014) and new trainees during orientation (June 2014). We assessed learner satisfaction by reviewing the course completion rate and a postcourse survey, and trainee knowledge by the per cent of correct responses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The course was offered to 1950 trainees. A total of 305 (15.6%) enrolled in the course; 265/305 (86.9%) answered at least one question, and 106/305 (34.8%) completed the course. Fewer participants completed the March programme compared with the orientation programme (42/177 (23.7%) vs 64/128 (50.0%), p<0.001). Completion rates differed by specialty, 80/199 (40.2%) in non-surgical specialties compared with 16/106 (24.5%) in surgical specialties (p=0.008). The proportion of questions answered correctly on the first attempt was 53.2% (95% CI 49.4% to 56.9%). Satisfaction among those completing the programme was high.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Spaced education can help deliver and assess learners' understanding of quality, safety and value principles. Offering a voluntary course may result in low completion. Learners were satisfied with their experience and were introduced to new concepts.
authors.affiliation: Edward Lawrence Center for Quality and Safety, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bruckel
authors.affiliation: Quality, Safety, and Value Division, Partners HealthCare, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Carballo
authors.affiliation: Quality, Safety, and Value Division, Partners HealthCare, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Orinta
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kalibatas
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soule
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Kathryn E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Wynne
authors.affiliation: Central Coast Local Health District, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Megan P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.affiliation: Workforce Education and Development Group, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, Boston, Massachusetts, USA Graduate Medical Education, Partners HealthCare, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: John Patrick T
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Co
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D003479:Curriculum; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D061214:Patient Safety / Q000592:standards*; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010820:Physicians / Q000592:standards*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000592:standards*
keywords: MEDICAL EDUCATION & TRAINING