Online Diabetes Continuing Education Uptake Remains Scant, Despite COVID-19 Pandemic Benefits

Strategic Insights -

Thai general practitioner trainees' participation in online diabetes continuing education (CME) programs remains low, despite the programs offering numerous benefits, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Research conducted at Khon Kaen University revealed that only 40.1% of eligible trainees participated in the study, and among them, only 13.3% enrolled in the online diabetes program, with 7.2% completing it. The program aimed to improve trainees' knowledge and confidence in managing Type 2 diabetes. However, the study found that the participants' knowledge scores before and after the program were not statistically different, despite a significant increase in their confidence in effective insulin treatment.

Key Takeaways:

  • Despite the benefits of online CME during the COVID-19 pandemic, only 40.1% of eligible GP trainees participated in the study.
  • Only 13.3% of participants enrolled in the online diabetes program, with 7.2% completing it.
  • The participants' confidence in effective insulin treatment increased significantly after the program (95% CI, -0.51-0.00; P = 0.05).
  • The participants' knowledge scores before and after the program were not statistically different (95% CI, -3.93-0.59; P = 0.14).
  • The study highlights the gap between evidence-based practice and actual GP practice and the need for mandatory CME.
  • Radhakrishnan Muthukumar, Academic Affairs, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Thailand, was involved in this research.
  • Additional authors include Isaraporn Thepwongsa, Poompong Sripa, and Leon Piterman.

Statistics:

  • 279 GP trainees were part of the study.
  • 112 GPA trainees (40.1%) participated in the study.
  • 37 GPA trainees (13.3%) enrolled in the online diabetes program.
  • 20 GPA trainees (7.2%) completed the online diabetes program.
  • The participants' mean diabetes knowledge score was 61.5% before enrolling in the program.
  • The participants' confidence in effective insulin treatment increased significantly after the program (95% CI, -0.51-0.00; P = 0.05).
  • The participants' knowledge scores before and after the program were not statistically different (95% CI, -3.93-0.59; P = 0.14).

Sources:

  • Uptake and effectiveness of online diabetes continuing education: The perspectives of Thai general practitioner trainees. Heliyon, 2023,9(2):e13355. (Heliyon - http://www.heliyon.com).
  • Radhakrishnan Muthukumar, Academic Affairs, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Thailand.
  • Isaraporn Thepwongsa, Poompong Sripa, Leon Piterman.