%0 Journal Article
%T Randomized controlled trial comparing four strategies for delivering e-curriculum to health care professionals [ISRCTN88148532]
%A Kathi J Kemper
%A Paula Gardiner
%A Jessica Gobble
%A Ananda Mitra
%A Charles Woods
%J BMC Medical Education
%D 2006
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/1472-6920-6-2
%X This national randomized 2 กม 2 factorial trial included physicians, pharmacists, nurses, nutritionists and trainees in these fields. Participants were randomly assigned to one of four curriculum delivery strategies for 40 brief modules about HDS: a) delivering four (4) modules weekly over ten (10) weeks by email (drip-push); b) modules accessible on web site with 4 reminders weekly for 10 weeks (drip-pull); c) 40 modules delivered within 4 days by email (bolus-push); and d) 40 modules available on the Internet with one email informing participants of availability (bolus-pull).Of the 1,267 enrollees, 25% were male; the average age was 40 years. The completion rate was 62%, without significant differences between delivery groups. There were statistically significant improvements in K, CONF and COMM scores after the course (P<0.001 for all), although the difference in COMM was small. There were no significant differences in any of the three outcomes by delivery strategy, but outcomes were better for those who paid for continuing education credit.All delivery strategies tested similarly improved K, CONF, COMM scores about HDS. Educators can use the strategy that is most convenient without diminishing effectiveness. Additional curricula may be necessary to make substantial changes in clinicians' communication practices.Herbs and dietary supplements (HDS) are the most commonly used complementary or alternative medical (CAM) commodities in the US [1]. Substantial numbers of people report using HDS. However, fewer than half of patients who use HDS typically discuss it with their clinician [2], in part because clinicians do not consistently inquire and in part because patients do not perceive health care professionals as particularly knowledgeable about HDS [3].Clinicians have been urged to initiate routine discussions about HDS with patients, but few do so routinely [4]. Clinicians have expressed strong interest in training about CAM [5,6]. For example, in a national survey
%U http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6920/6/2