Is slide‐based or video‐based eLearning better at achieving behavioural change in bronchiolitis management? A cluster‐based randomised control trial

• Published in: Journal of paediatrics and child health Vol. 58; no. 12; pp. 2177 - 2182
• Main Authors: Talati, Rutty, Fonseca, Bob, Mallitt, Kylie‐ann, Mackenzie, John
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Australia John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd 01-12-2022; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Behavior; bronchiolitis; Bronchiolitis - therapy; Child; Computer-Assisted Instruction - methods; Discharge planning; education; eLearning; hospital; Humans; Infant; management; Medical education; Online instruction; Original; Pediatrics; Physicians; Respiratory diseases; education; hospital; management; eLearning; bronchiolitis
• ISSN: 1034-4810; 1440-1754
• DOI: 10.1111/jpc.16178

Aim
This cluster‐based randomised control trial examines the comparative efficacy of two eLearning programs that teach clinicians evidence‐based bronchiolitis management for children less than 12 months of age.
Methods
Six hospitals, matched for size, were randomly allocated to either video‐based (arm A) or slide‐based (arm B) eLearning programs. To assess behavioural change, participants (doctors and nurses) were asked to declare how they would manage a video scenario of an infant with bronchiolitis, before and after either eLearning method. Measured outcomes included the number of investigations and treatments ordered, admissions to hospital and discharge planning. Confidence scores and change in understanding for bronchiolitis management were also measured.
Results
Both methods of eLearning instruction resulted in reductions in unnecessary investigations and treatments performed, as well as improved confidence and understanding of bronchiolitis management on the video scenario. Video‐based eLearning instruction additionally demonstrated a significant reduction in unnecessary hospital admissions and better discharge planning, based on learners' declarations to the video scenario, relative to slide‐based learning.
Conclusion
Slide‐based and video‐based eLearning both demonstrate improvements in reported bronchiolitis management. However, video‐based eLearning may yield more significant practice changes, improved clinician confidence in management, as well as improved patient experience.