Plain English Summary
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
Trial website
Contact information
Type
Scientific
Primary contact
Dr Damian Roland
ORCID ID
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9334-5144
Contact details
University of Leicester
Department of Cardiovascular Sciences
Leicester Royal Infirmary
Infirmary Square
Leicester
LE1 5WW
United Kingdom
Additional identifiers
EudraCT number
ClinicalTrials.gov number
Protocol/serial number
11696
Study information
Scientific title
REfining 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
Acronym
REMIT
Study hypothesis
There 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
NRES Committee East Midlands 1, 02 June 2011 ref: 11/EM/0186
Study design
Non-randomised interventional trial
Primary study design
Interventional
Secondary study design
Non randomised study
Trial setting
Hospitals
Trial type
Quality of life
Patient information sheet
Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Condition
Injuries and Emergencies, Paediatrics, Critical Care
Intervention
There 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 type
Other
Phase
Not Applicable
Drug names
Primary outcome measure
Participant satisfaction is measured using a validated online questionnaire at baseline and following completion of the e-learning package
Secondary outcome measures
1. 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 trial start date
01/08/2012
Overall trial end date
01/02/2013
Reason abandoned (if study stopped)
Eligibility
Participant inclusion criteria
For 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
Participant type
Patient
Age group
Adult
Gender
Both
Target number of participants
UK Sample Size: 100
Participant exclusion criteria
Junior doctor in possession of any part of the MRCPCH
Recruitment start date
02/08/2012
Recruitment end date
03/03/2013
Locations
Countries of recruitment
United Kingdom
Trial participating centre
University of Leicester
Leicester
LE1 5WW
United Kingdom
Sponsor information
Organisation
University of Leicester
Sponsor details
Department of Cardiovascular Sciences
Leicester Royal Infirmary
Infirmary Square
Leicester
LE1 5WW
United Kingdom
Sponsor type
University/education
Website
Funders
Funder type
Government
Funder name
NIHR Doctoral Research Fellowship (UK)
Alternative name(s)
Funding Body Type
Funding Body Subtype
Location
Results and Publications
Publication and dissemination plan
Not provided at time of registration
Intention to publish date
Participant level data
Not provided at time of registration
Basic results (scientific)
Publication list
2015 results in http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26537496