Assessing effectiveness of an e-learning tool to aid junior doctor management of febrile children

ISRCTN ISRCTN94772165
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN94772165
Secondary identifying numbers 11696
Submission date
08/08/2012
Registration date
09/08/2012
Last edited
04/04/2016
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Other
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
There are many educational programmes aimed at improving the clinical practice of health care professionals. A number of these programmes are delivered using an online platform (eLearning). Determining how beneficial they are is difficult as measuring how well someone is learning is often based on opinion. In this study, a group of junior doctors will undertake an online learning package focusing on dealing with young children with fever. They will all have various aspects of their practice assessed by questionnaire, knowledge testing and direct observation of their consultations. These methods will be analysed to decide which is most suitable for deciding whether the learning package is useful. The aim of this study is to create a system to test the effectiveness of e-learning
packages for health care professionals.

Who can participate?
Junior doctors in their first or second year.

What does the study involve?
Participants are asked to complete an online questionnaire and a knowledge test based on video clips of potentially unwell children in the next week. They are then be given access to an e-learning package which will take approximately 45 minutes to complete. This can be undertaken at work or at home. On completion they will be asked to repeat the questionnaire and knowledge test.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Participants benefit from receiving individual feedback about their results and given the opportunity to discuss their experiences. There are no risks involves with taking part in this study.

Where is the study run from?
University of Leicester (UK)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
August 2012 to February 2013

Who is funding the study?
National Institute for Health Research (UK)

Who is the main contact?
Dr Damian Roland

Contact information

Dr Damian Roland
Scientific

University of Leicester
Department of Cardiovascular Sciences
Leicester Royal Infirmary
Infirmary Square
Leicester
LE1 5WW
United Kingdom

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0001-9334-5144

Study information

Study designNon-randomised interventional trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designNon randomised study
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeQuality of life
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleREfining evaluation Methodologies for InTerventions that change practice (REMIT): A model to assess the effectiveness of an e-learning tool in improving the management of febrile children by junior doctors
Study acronymREMIT
Study objectivesThere are many educational programmes aimed at improving the clinical practice of health care professionals. A number of these programmes are delivered via information technology systems and described as ‘e-Learning’. Determing how beneficial they are is difficult as educational outcomes are not always objective or easily measurable.

This study will create a system to test the effeciveness of e-learning packages for health care professionals. A group of junior doctors will undertake an online learning package on dealing with young children with fever. They will all have various aspects of their practice assessed by questionnaire, knowledge testing and direct observation of their consultations.

These methods will be analysed to decide which is most suitable for deciding whether the learning package is useful.

More details can be found at http://public.ukcrn.org.uk/Search/StudyDetail.aspx?StudyID=11696
Ethics approval(s)NRES Committee East Midlands 1, 02 June 2011 ref: 11/EM/0186
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedInjuries and Emergencies, Paediatrics, Critical Care
InterventionThere are many educational programmes aimed at improving the clinical practice of health care professionals. A number of these programmes are delivered via information technology systems and described as ‘e-Learning’. Determining how beneficial they are is difficult as educational outcomes are not always objective or easily measurable. This study will create a system to test the effectiveness of e-learning packages for health care professionals. A group of junior doctors will undertake an online learning package on dealing with young children with fever. They will all have various aspects of their practice assessed by questionnaire, knowledge testing and direct observation of their consultations. These methods will be analysed to decide which is most suitable for deciding whether the learning package is useful.

The e-learning package involves viewing a selection of short video clips which describe the components of the NICE Feverish illness in Children Traffic Light Table. They undertake this exercise (lasts no more than hour) following the pre-questionnaire and test within 2 weeks of starting their new attachment in the Emergency Department. Following completion of the e-learning package they undertake a post-intervention questionnaire and assessment. The e-learning package and questionnaire can be completed at home or at work.
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measureParticipant satisfaction is measured using a validated online questionnaire at baseline and following completion of the e-learning package
Secondary outcome measures1. Participant behaviour measured using a guideline adherence matrix at baseline and following completion of the e-learning package
2. Participant knowledge measured using an online test at baseline and following completion of the e-learning package
Overall study start date01/08/2012
Completion date01/02/2013

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participantsUK Sample Size: 100
Key inclusion criteriaFor Focus Group:
Junior Doctor ST2 or below

For observation pilot testing and main study:
Although the children are not being studied directly themselves the observation of a doctors performance will be on children less than 5 years old who present with a fever or parent reported history of a fever.; Male and female participants
Aged 18 - 60 years
Key exclusion criteriaJunior doctor in possession of any part of the MRCPCH
Date of first enrolment02/08/2012
Date of final enrolment03/03/2013

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

University of Leicester
Leicester
LE1 5WW
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

University of Leicester
University/education

Department of Cardiovascular Sciences
Leicester Royal Infirmary
Infirmary Square
Leicester
LE1 5WW
England
United Kingdom

Website http://www.le.ac.uk/
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/04h699437

Funders

Funder type

Government

NIHR Doctoral Research Fellowship (UK)

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot provided at time of registration
Publication and dissemination planNot provided at time of registration
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article results 04/11/2015 Yes No

Editorial Notes

04/04/2016: The methods of measurement and timepoints of measurement have been added to the primary and secondary outcome measures.
23/03/2016: The recruitment dates have been updated from 01/08/2012 - 01/02/2013 to 02/08/2012 - 03/03/2013. Publication reference added.
04/03/2016: No publications found, verifying study status with principal investigator.