Background/Purpose: Analysis of past educational activities on comparative effectiveness studies in RA identified different educational needs for varying segments of rheumatologists – from interpretation of clinical results to application in practice. A study was conducted to measure the effectiveness of using responses to a single-question as a method to segment the physician audience and to provide a tailored learning approach specific to the needs of each group.

Methods: We utilized a unique online, single-question segmentation using branching logic, in order to tailor education that rheumatologists needed most regarding comparative effectiveness studies in RA. Participants were presented with a single question that tested their interpretation of results from AMPLE and ADACTA. Those who answered correctly were directed to an educational activity on applying these results in case scenarios, and those who answered incorrectly were directed to an activity on interpretation of results. Once the participants were directed to a specific activity, online survey instruments using knowledge- and case-based, multiple-choice questions were administered to compare the same participants’ responses to 4 identical questions before and after each activity.  McNemar’s chi-squared test was used to determine statistical significance between responses. Cramer’s V was used to calculate the effect sizes of education, based on the strength of association between the pre-assessment and post-assessment responses. The activities launched in December 2014 – January 2015, and data were collected through March, 2015.

Results: In total, 112 rheumatologist responses were analyzed in this study. Tailoring education designed to match individual deficiencies in knowledge and skills of rheumatologists to specific educational activities on comparative effectiveness in RA resulted in robust educational effect (effect sizes ranging from V = 0.038 to 0.134 across 4 activities, P < .001). Analysis of the effect of education on specific learning goals showed:

• 52% increase in the decision to add abatacept in a patient with inadequate response to MTX, based on data from AMPLE study (P < .001)

• 56% increase in the selection of tocilizumab based on results from ADACTA trial, in a patient who discontinued MTX due to intolerance and progressed to a DAS28 of 6.5 (P < .001)

• More than 38% improvement in identifying patient populations and dosage of biologics studied in ADACTA trial (P < .05)

• 28% improvement in the interpretation of results of AMPLE trial (P = .057)

Conclusion: Large, statistically significant improvements in knowledge and competence of rheumatologists regarding comparative effectiveness studies in RA demonstrated the success of using online branching logic to segment the participants and providing education on topic areas they needed the most. Recognizing that rheumatologists are at various stages of understanding and skills in application of clinical trial data from various landmark studies, this approach may be used to maximize translation of data into clinical decisions.

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ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/tailored-online-education-on-comparative-effectiveness-studies-in-rheumatoid-arthritis-success-in-improving-knowledge-and-clinical-decisions/