Randomized Controlled Trial of Interactive Spaced Education to Support Constipation Management by Pediatric Primary Care Providers.

INTRODUCTION

Integrating continuing medical education and quality improvement (QI) initiatives is challenging. We aimed to compare one method, Interactive Spaced Education (ISE/QI), with standard (sTD/Qi) education embedded within a constipation management Qi initiative.

METHODS

We conducted a randomized, controlled study to compare ISE/QI and STD/QI education. Pediatric primary care providers (PCPs) were recruited from a network of local private practices. The QI initiative was implemented with all providers before education interventions. ISE/QI participants received questions by email weekly, provided answers, received feedback, and repeated questions over a 4-month period. The STD/QI group received a Power Point with the same educational content. Pre- and post-surveys evaluated usability, self-assessed confidence, and practice changes while quizzes evaluated knowledge. Process control charts tracked subsequent visits to gastroenterology (GI).

RESULTS

Of the 212 eligible PCPs, 101 (48%) enrolled, with 49 PCPs in the ISE/QI arm and 52 in STD/QI education arm. Quiz scores improved in the ISE/QI arm with a strong effect size (Cohen d 1.76). Mean increase in confidence managing difficult cases was higher in the ISE/QI group (1.84 vs 1.21, P  = 0.030). ISE/QI participants were more likely to rate the activity better than most online education (odds ratio [OR] 18.1, P < 0.0001) and incorporate practice changes (OR 3.35, P = 0.0152). Visits to GI decreased among the entire population, but the effect on GI visits within each education arm was mixed.

CONCLUSIONS

ISE/QI improved knowledge and confidence managing difficult cases. ISE/QI participants reported higher likelihood to change practice, but no differences were seen in GI referrals.