Evaluation of the effectiveness of an Internet-based continuing education program on pharmacy-based minor ailment management: a randomized controlled clinical trial

Obreli-Neto, Paulo Roque; Guidoni, Camilo Molino; Baldoni, André de Oliveira; Marusic, Srecko; Castedalli, Gilson; Lahoud, Yesmin Marie; Soares, Christian Franco; Pereira, Leonardo Régis Leira

doi:10.1590/S1984-82502016000100003

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Brazilian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

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Articles • Braz. J. Pharm. Sci. 52 (01) • Mar 2016 • https://doi.org/10.1590/S1984-82502016000100003 copy

Evaluation of the effectiveness of an Internet-based continuing education program on pharmacy-based minor ailment management: a randomized controlled clinical trial

Authorship SCIMAGO INSTITUTIONS RANKINGS

ABSTRACT

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effectiveness of an internet-based continuing education (CE) program on pharmacy-based minor ailment schemes (PMASs). A controlled randomized clinical trial was conducted in community pharmacies in Brazil. Community pharmacists (CPs) were enrolled in two groups: intervention (n = 61) and control (n = 60). CPs who were enrolled to the intervention group participated in an Internet-based CE program. CPs in the control group received no educational intervention. We evaluated participant perception, learning outcomes, and practice performance. Learner satisfaction with the CE program was high for every point evaluated (mean ± standard deviation = 4.2 ± 0.4). Posttest learner outcome scores and practice performance in the intervention group after the conclusion of the CE program significantly improved compared with pretest scores (p < 0.001) and were significantly better compared with the control group (p < 0.001). The present Internet-based CE program is a viable educational strategy for improving participant perception, learning outcomes, and practice performance in PMASs.

Uniterms:
Continuing education; Internet-based continuing education; Drugs/nonprescription; Community pharmacy.

Characteristic	Intervention group (n = 33)	Control group (n = 51)	p value
Mean age, years (standard deviation)	32.3 (2.3)	32.6 (2.1)	0.897
Female, n (%)	24 (72.7)	36 (70.6)	0.843
Function in the pharmacy, n (%)
· Employee of the pharmacy, without administrative functions	20 (64.5)	33 (64.7)	0.982
· Employee of the pharmacy, with administrative functions (manager)	6 (19.4)	10 (19.6)	0.989
· Owner of the pharmacy	5 (16.1)	8 (15.7)	0.947
Mean experience as a community pharmacist, years (standard deviation)	8.3 (3.1)	8.1 (2.7)	0.907
Mean work time per week, h (standard deviation)	44.6 (4.9)	44.3 (4.1)	0.916

Evaluation criterion	Score, mean (SD)
Impression of the Internet-based format	4.2 (± 0.4)
Ease of use	4.2 (± 0.2)
Appropriateness of content	4.2 (± 0.4)
Relevance of content to practice	4.2 (± 0.4)
Amount of information	4.0 (± 0.6)
Duration of the CE program	4.0 (± 0.3)
Provision of further reading material and references	4.0 (± 0.4)
Appropriateness of exercises	4.0 (± 0.4)
Appropriateness of tutorial activities	4.2 (± 0.4)
Overall impression of the CE program	4.2 (± 0.4)

Content area	Intervention group (n = 33)			Control group (n = 51)	Difference between groups^a (p value)
Content area	Pretest	Posttest	p value	Test^b
Nonprescription drug legislation (maximum = 2 points); mean (SD)	1.0 (0.6)	1.5 (0.6)	< 0.001	1.0 (0.5)	< 0.001
Assessment of patients who present with minor ailments (maximum = 2 points); mean (SD)	0.7 (0.4)	1.2 (0.3)	< 0.001	0.7 (0.5)	< 0.001
Decision-making process in the management of minor ailments (maximum = 3 points) ; mean (SD)	1.1 (0.6)	1.8 (0.4)	< 0.001	1.0 (0.5)	< 0.001
Selection of treatment for minor ailments (maximum = 3 points); mean (SD)	1.0 (0.5)	1.8 (0.5)	< 0.001	0.9 (0.4)	< 0.001
Total CE program (maximum = 10 points); mean (SD)	3.7 (2.1)	6.2 (2.4)	< 0.001	3.6 (2.2)	< 0.001

Behavior	Intervention group (n = 33)			Control group (n = 51)	Difference between groups^a (p value)
Behavior	Pretest	Posttest	p value	Test^b
Collect and assess patient sociodemographic data using a structured approach (maximum = 5 points); mean (SD)	3.0 (0.9)	4.8 (0.2)	< 0.001	3.0 (1.0)	< 0.001
Collect and assess patient signs and symptoms using a structured approach (maximum = 5 points); mean (SD)	3.1 (1.1)	4.8 (0.2)	< 0.001	3.0 (1.2)	< 0.001
Collect and assess patient drugs consumed using a structured approach (maximum = 5 points); mean (SD)	2.8 (1.2)	4.8 (0.2)	< 0.001	2.9 (1.0)	< 0.001
Record patient data on a pharmacy chart (maximum = 5 points); mean (SD)	2.1 (1.0)	4.8 (0.2)	< 0.001	2.1 (0.9)	< 0.001
Assess whether the patient really needs the nonprescription drug solicited by the patient (maximum = 5 points); mean (SD)	2.1(1.0)	4.8 (0.2)	< 0.001	2.1 (0.9)	< 0.001
Assess whether the patient has a minor ailment or major ailment (maximum = 5 points); mean (SD)	2.0 (0.9)	4.8 (0.2)	< 0.001	2.0 (0.9)	< 0.001
Referral to medical care for patients who have major ailments (maximum = 5 points); mean (SD)	2.0 (0.9)	4.8 (0.2)	< 0.001	2.0 (0.9)	< 0.001
Select nonprescription drug treatment based on information gathered from the patient (maximum = 5 points); mean (SD)	2.0 (1.0)	4.8 (0.2)	< 0.001	2.0 (0.9)	< 0.001
Total CE program (maximum = 5 points); mean (SD)	2.4 (1.2)	4.8 (0.2)	< 0.001	2.3 (1.1)	< 0.001

Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, n. 580, 05508-000 S. Paulo/SP Brasil, Tel.: (55 11) 3091-3824 - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
E-mail: bjps@usp.br

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[1] *Correspondence: P. R. Obreli-Neto. Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo. Av. do Café, s/n, 14040-90 - Ribeirão Preto - SP, Brazil. E-mail: paulorobreli@yahoo.com.br