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
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
Scientific
University of Leicester
Department of Cardiovascular Sciences
Leicester Royal Infirmary
Infirmary Square
Leicester
LE1 5WW
United Kingdom
 ORCID ID |
0000-0001-9334-5144 |
|---|
Study information
| Study design | Non-randomised interventional trial |
|---|---|
| Primary study design | Interventional |
| Secondary study design | Non randomised study |
| Study setting(s) | Hospital |
| Study type | Quality of life |
| Participant information sheet | Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet |
| 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 |
| Study acronym | REMIT |
| Study objectives | 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(s) | NRES Committee East Midlands 1, 02 June 2011 ref: 11/EM/0186 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | 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 |
| 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 study start date | 01/08/2012 |
| Completion date | 01/02/2013 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Sex | Both |
| Target number of participants | UK Sample Size: 100 |
| Key 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 |
| Key exclusion criteria | Junior doctor in possession of any part of the MRCPCH |
| Date of first enrolment | 02/08/2012 |
| Date of final enrolment | 03/03/2013 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- England
- United Kingdom
Study participating centre
LE1 5WW
United Kingdom
Sponsor information
University/education
Department of Cardiovascular Sciences
Leicester Royal Infirmary
Infirmary Square
Leicester
LE1 5WW
England
United Kingdom
| Website | http://www.le.ac.uk/ |
|---|---|
"ROR" |
https://ror.org/04h699437 |
Funders
Funder type
Government
No information available
Results and Publications
| Intention to publish date | |
|---|---|
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
| IPD sharing plan summary | Not provided at time of registration |
| Publication and dissemination plan | Not 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.
