Online CME Activity Promotes Changes in Iron Deficiency Anemia Management

Amy Larkin, PharmD, CHCP, and Kelly Hanley, DO, of Medscape Education, New York, New York, reported results of a study to assess the effect of online education designed to improve the clinical performance of clinicians in the OB/GYN and primary care settings relating to management of iron deficiency anemia in women. The results were reported during a poster session at the NKF 2020 Spring Clinical Meetings in a poster titled Success of CME/CE in Promoting Performance Improvements Related to Iron Deficiency Anemia Management in Women.

The continuing medical education (CME) activity included a 45-minute online text- and video-based activity that focused on various aspects of anemia management in the setting of women’s health. The impact of the activity on performance outcomes was measured with a follow-up Planned Change Assessment® (PCA) survey immediately following the activity to determine planned changes in clinical practice. Survey participants were contacted 8 weeks later to determine self-reported actual changes in practice.

The initial questionnaire was completed by 1239 clinicians (275 OB/Gyn physicians, 142 Ob/Gyn nurse practitioners and physician assistants, 446 primary care physicians, and 376 nurse practitioners and physician assistants in the primary care setting). Of the 1239, 95% (n=1171) indicated they planned to make changes. A total of 3610 changes were planned, an average of 3.1 per questionnaire completer.

The follow-up PCA questionnaire was completed by 92 of those who completed the immediate questionnaire. Of those, 97% (n=89) reported 331 changes in their practice patterns, an average of 3.7 changes per completer. The most common changes were  better screening for new mothers and those with abnormal uterine bleeding for anemia, consideration of intravenous iron in some cases, and improved counseling of patients regarding causes and symptoms of iron deficiency anemia.

“The outcomes gathered in this assessment provide compelling evidence that participation in an online CME activity can be successful at promoting changes in practice, and in this case promoted clinicians in the OB/Gyn and primary car setting to provide better care for women with or at risk for iron deficiency anemia,” the researchers said.

Source: Larkin A, Hanley K. Success of CME/CE in promoting performance improvements related to iron deficiency anemia management in women. Abstract of a poster presented at the National Kidney Foundation 2020 Spring Clinical Meetings; abstract #190.