MD04
HCPs and the Management of MS: Online Medical Education Improves Knowledge of Nurses and Nurse Practitioners
Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) benefit from the support of nurses who provide education, aid in navigating the course of their condition, treatment options, and living with the disease. However, MS nursing professionals lack confidence and knowledge regarding several areas of MS care, including current and emerging disease modifying therapies (DMTs) and approaches to symptom management.
Objectives:
A study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of an online educational intervention designed to improve knowledge and confidence of the recognition and management of MS among nurses and nurse practitioners.
Methods:
The online continuing medical education (CME) activity consisted of a 60-minute video presentation divided into 7 segments. Each module featured an MS nurse expert reviewing one several topics, including diagnosis of MS, disease modifying therapies, symptom management, and the role of the MS nurse in the overall care of patients with MS. Educational effect was assessed by comparing a repeated-pairs sample of nurses’ and nurse practitioners’ responses to four identical questions presented both before and directly after exposure to the intervention. A chi-square test identified significant differences between pre- and post-assessment responses. P values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Cramer’s V was used to calculate the effect size of the online education. Data from the participants in the educational intervention who answered all pre- and post-assessment questions were collected between May 26, 2016, and July 5, 2016.
Results:
Participation in the CME intervention improved knowledge of nurses and nurse practitioners as indicated by a small educational effect size (n =1838; V=0.106; P <0.05). As a result of participation in this educational intervention, significant (P <0.05) pre- versus post-assessment improvements were observed in following areas: awareness of differences in MS phenotypes for relapsing and progressive disease (23% relative improvement), knowledge of a DMT that is pregnancy category X (33% relative improvement), recognition of symptoms potentially indicative of an acute relapse (76% relative improvement), and awareness of the most effective approach to addressing bowel dysfunction in patients with MS (31% relative improvement).
Conclusions:
The results indicated that the CME-certified 60-minute video, multi-segmented activity was effective at improving knowledge of nurses and nurse practitioners regarding the diagnosis and ongoing care of patients with MS. Future educational efforts should continue to address the diagnosis, management of motor symptoms with disease modifying therapies, and strategies to control non-motor symptoms of MS.