E-learning Module to Improve Laboratory Prescriptions (CLAB1)

November 20, 2018 updated by: Hôpital du Valais

Can an E-learning Module Improve Prescriptions of Laboratory Examens by Postgraduate Medical Students?

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a web based learning module in the prescription of laboratory examens by postgraduate medical students.

Background: The internal medicine service of Valais encounters several prescription issues such as overprescription of blood iron or transferrin level determination and too rare D vitamine level.

Methods: The investigators will introduce postgraduate medical students to a single use e-learning module about common deficiencies in hospitalized patients. A quick test will be performed before and after the module, then at 2 and 4 months. Efficiency will be determined by the analysis of the median number of prescriptions of blood iron, transferrin and D vitamine levels 6 months before the module then monthly until completion of the study . It is planned to recruit between 40 and 55 students.

Outcome: The investigators will evaluate efficiency of the web based learning module by analysing the prescription rate 5 months before and 5 months after the intervention. Second outcome will be testing of the efficiency over time by monthly analysis of the prescriptions and results at the test.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

The internal medicine in Valais (switzerland) service encounters several prescription issues partially caused by semi-automatic informatized software. The more often students are not aware of the costs inherent to unuseful laboratory examens and use the quickest way. Furthermore several older students still use prior recommendations for the determination of patient deficiency status. The investigators wish to determine if a web-based instruction module can improve practice and persist over time.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a web based learning module in the prescription of laboratory examens by postgraduate medical students.

Methods: A website will be especially designed for the purpose. All postgraduate medical students of the internal medicine service will be introduced to the e-learning module as part of routine medical care. Preceding and following this exposure the investigators will measure how well the students perform to a comprehensive 10-item assessment tool designed by experienced internists in the Department.

40 to 55 students are expected to participate in the study. A quick test will be performed before and after the module, then at 2 and 4 months. Efficiency will be determined by the analysis of the median number of prescriptions of blood iron, transferrin and D vitamine levels 5 months before the module then at the completion of the study.

Pre and post-test will be used to evaluate the efficiency of the short learning module, and test at 2 and 4 months to estimate the persistence of these results over time.

The prescription of B9 and B12 levels as well as the management of the obtained results will also be analysed.

Limitations: This design does not incorporate a comparison group, because of the insufficient number of students for this method. Multicenter study with comparison group will be performed if results are promising.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

55

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Switzerland
      • Sion, Switzerland, 1950
        • Hôpital du Valais

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

All of the postgraduate medical students of the internal medicine service in Valais.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Post graduate student
  • Enrolled in our internal medicine service

Exclusion Criteria:

  • None

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Observational Models: Other
  • Time Perspectives: Prospective

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Intervention / Treatment
Web based learning module
Laboratory prescriptions made by postgraduate students who were enrolled to follow the web based modules
Other: Web based learning module
Web based learning module available on a especially designed website

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Prescription efficiency
Time Frame: 4 months
We will evaluate efficiency of the web based learning module by analysing the prescription rate 4 months after the intervention
4 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Mid term impact on prescription
Time Frame: 1 month, 2 months, 3 months and 4 months
Efficiency over time by monthly analysis of the prescriptions. Prescriptions rate will be evaluated monthly in order to evaluate the persistency of the module.
1 month, 2 months, 3 months and 4 months
Web based module validity
Time Frame: 1 day, 2 months and 4 months

Web based module efficiency over time: using a 10-item assessment tool at day 1 (before and after reading of the module) then 2 months and 4 months after the beginning of the study.

Obtained score will be on a scale of 0 to 10, each correct answer allowing 1 point
1 day, 2 months and 4 months

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Hôpital du Valais

Investigators

  • Study Director: Pierre-Auguste PETIGNAT, MD, Hôpitaux du Valais
  • Principal Investigator: Damien LE PEILLET, MD, Hôpitaux du Valais

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

June 1, 2018

Primary Completion (Actual)

October 31, 2018

Study Completion (Actual)

October 31, 2018

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

April 25, 2018

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 27, 2018

First Posted (Actual)

June 11, 2018

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

November 21, 2018

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

November 20, 2018

Last Verified

November 1, 2018

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

  • CLAB1

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

Undecided

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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