Randomised trial of an internet-based evidence-based medicine continuing education intervention

ISRCTN	ISRCTN00946598
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN00946598
Protocol serial number	MOP-53096
Sponsor	University of Toronto (Canada)
Funder	Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) (Canada) - http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca (ref: MOP-53096)

Submission date: 01/09/2005
Registration date: 24/02/2006
Last edited: 18/04/2008

Recruitment status: No longer recruiting
Overall study status: Completed
Condition category: Circulatory System

Prospectively registered

Protocol

Statistical analysis plan

Results

Individual participant data

Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Not provided at time of registration

Contact information

Dr Sharon Straus
Scientific

Toronto Western Hospital
New East Wing 8-418
399 Bathurst St
Toronto
M5T 2S8
Canada

Phone	+1 416 603 5963
Email	sstraus@mtsinai.on.ca

Study information

Primary study design	Interventional
Study design	Randomised controlled trial
Secondary study design	Randomised controlled trial
Scientific title
Study objectives	We anticipate that an internet-based evidence-based medicine (EBM) course that is targeted for specific medication compared to traditional CME will lead to increased use of specific medications.
Ethics approval(s)	Health Sciences II Research Ethics Board, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (5 April, 2002).
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied	Stroke and Diabetes - continuing medical education (CME) study
Intervention	Group 1. Online course on evidence-based medicine where the topic studied is related to stroke. There are ten sessions and we ask the family physician to complete this course within 6 months. Group 2. Online course on evidence-based medicine where the topic is related to diabetes. There are ten sessions and we ask the family physician to complete the course within 6 months. Group 3. Mailed materials where there is a practice guideline on stroke and a hard copy of a slide presentation on stroke (traditional CME). We ask the family physician to complete the readings within 6 months.
Intervention type	Other
Primary outcome measure(s)	The proportion of appropriate patients who receive a prescription for statins 12 months after the completion of the study intervention i.e. the online course or completion of readings.
Key secondary outcome measure(s)	1. The proportion of patients with coronary heart failure (CHF) who receive beta-blockers 2. The proportion of patients with atrial fibrillation who receive prescriptions for warfarin at 6, 12, and 24 months after the study intervention 3. Physician satisfaction with the CME online course and the readings will be evaluated
Completion date	31/03/2007

Eligibility

Participant type(s)	Patient
Age group	Adult
Lower age limit	18 Years
Sex	All
Target sample size at registration	350
Key inclusion criteria	1. In practice for at least one year 2. Will be in practice for the next year 3. Aged greater than or equal to 18 years old, either sex 4. 50% of the clinical practice are adults 5. Access to the internet 6. Able to converse and read in English
Key exclusion criteria	1. Cannot speak English 2. Participating in another EBM CME study 3. Retiring from clinical practice witihin one year of the study onset 4. Permission denied for viewing prescription practices
Date of first enrolment	15/05/2004
Date of final enrolment	31/03/2007

Locations

Countries of recruitment

Canada

Study participating centre

Toronto Western Hospital

Toronto
M5T 2S8
Canada

Results and Publications

Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share	No
IPD sharing plan summary	Not provided at time of registration
IPD sharing plan