A study recently published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that healthcare providers who manage patients with Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) that participated in continuing education (CE) had improved confidence, knowledge, and competence.
CMEology developed an online educational activity to learn about the impact CE had on providers’ knowledge and competence regarding management of patients with ADPKD, “Evolving Strategies in the Diagnosis and Management of ADPKD.” The course, an online multimedia CE course that was launched in March 2018, included expert education on how to recognize ADPKD, the pathogenesis of ADPKD, and strategies for predicting ADPKD progression. A variety of medical professionals participated, including physicians, nurses, and physician assistants.
The study evaluated 954 participants who completed a test before and after the CE activity, as well as reported confidence and commitment to change. There were ten multiple choice questions/vignettes for the evaluation of learning in pathogenesis, genetics, imaging, diagnosis, and management.
Upon completion of the activity, participants had increased confidence in achieving the aims of the learnings objective and in creased confidence in ADPKD-related practices (i.e., overcoming barriers, translating evidence into care, and improving outcomes). For all participants, the mean increase in test scores from pre-activity to post-activity was 59%.
Enhancing knowledge and competence in the management of ADPKD is critical for physicians and other providers, especially considering the evolving role of assessment for disease progression and the availability of disease-modifying therapy.
According to Arlene Chapman, MD, Professor of Medicine and Director of the Section of Nephrology at the University of Chicago, “This is an incredibly important study to show the value of ongoing continuing education in specific domains of care for nephrology patients, specifically those with ADPKD. In this busy world of fast-moving information, having the opportunity to focus and review evidence specifically for ADPKD is advantageous.”