Evaluating the effectiveness of an evidence-based online training program for health professionals in eating disorders
Abstract Background Early detection and treatment are essential to ensuring the best possible health outcomes for people with eating disorders (EDs). However, low diagnostic accuracy and a lack of specific ED training are common workforce challenges in Australia and internationally. Online learning...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2019-05-01
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| Series: | Journal of Eating Disorders |
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| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40337-019-0243-5 |
| _version_ | 1797726630334955520 |
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| author | Sarah Maguire Ang Li Michelle Cunich Danielle Maloney |
| author_facet | Sarah Maguire Ang Li Michelle Cunich Danielle Maloney |
| author_sort | Sarah Maguire |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Early detection and treatment are essential to ensuring the best possible health outcomes for people with eating disorders (EDs). However, low diagnostic accuracy and a lack of specific ED training are common workforce challenges in Australia and internationally. Online learning provides a potential solution in facilitating the access to evidence-based training programs. The InsideOut Institute has developed the first online clinical training program in EDs to assist with educating health professionals in the identification, assessment, and management of EDs. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the online training program, The Essentials, in mitigating barriers to health professionals treating patients with EDs. Methods Pre and post training questionnaires assessed participants’ attitudes, knowledge, and skills in relation to treating people with EDs. Demographic and work-related information (gender, discipline, work setting, practice length and remoteness) and participants’ ratings of the online learning experience and satisfaction on completion were collected. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was applied to test for changes in learning outcomes before and after completion of the program. A multivariate linear regression model was estimated for each of the learning outcomes with personal and work-related characteristics as covariates. Results Among 1813 health professionals who registered for The Essentials program between 1 October 2013 and 31 July 2018, 1160 completed at least 80% of the five learning modules. There were significant improvements in confidence, knowledge, skills to treat EDs and a reduction in stigmatised beliefs among the 480 participants who completed both pre and post assessments. Results from the regression models suggest that psychologists, dieticians, and those working in rural areas were more willing to treat EDs after completing the program. Additionally, those working in hospitals and regional or rural areas experienced the largest improvement in confidence for treating patients with EDs. Conclusions The Essentials program represents a new and effective way of meeting the educational needs of partaking health professionals working with ED patients. Greater investment in the development and testing of evidence-based online training programs for EDs may help to address some of the considerable workforce development challenges in EDs. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T10:48:25Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4c3b76cc650d4f8383d365f70a9973b2 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2050-2974 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T10:48:25Z |
| publishDate | 2019-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Eating Disorders |
| spelling | doaj.art-4c3b76cc650d4f8383d365f70a9973b22023-09-02T07:16:19ZengBMCJournal of Eating Disorders2050-29742019-05-017111110.1186/s40337-019-0243-5Evaluating the effectiveness of an evidence-based online training program for health professionals in eating disordersSarah Maguire0Ang Li1Michelle Cunich2Danielle Maloney3InsideOut Institute, Charles Perkins Centre, The University of SydneyThe Boden Institute of Obesity, Nutrition, Exercise & Eating Disorders, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Health Economics, Sydney Local Health District, Charles Perkins Centre, The University of SydneyThe Boden Institute of Obesity, Nutrition, Exercise & Eating Disorders, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Health Economics, Sydney Local Health District, Charles Perkins Centre, The University of SydneyInsideOut Institute, Charles Perkins Centre, The University of SydneyAbstract Background Early detection and treatment are essential to ensuring the best possible health outcomes for people with eating disorders (EDs). However, low diagnostic accuracy and a lack of specific ED training are common workforce challenges in Australia and internationally. Online learning provides a potential solution in facilitating the access to evidence-based training programs. The InsideOut Institute has developed the first online clinical training program in EDs to assist with educating health professionals in the identification, assessment, and management of EDs. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the online training program, The Essentials, in mitigating barriers to health professionals treating patients with EDs. Methods Pre and post training questionnaires assessed participants’ attitudes, knowledge, and skills in relation to treating people with EDs. Demographic and work-related information (gender, discipline, work setting, practice length and remoteness) and participants’ ratings of the online learning experience and satisfaction on completion were collected. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was applied to test for changes in learning outcomes before and after completion of the program. A multivariate linear regression model was estimated for each of the learning outcomes with personal and work-related characteristics as covariates. Results Among 1813 health professionals who registered for The Essentials program between 1 October 2013 and 31 July 2018, 1160 completed at least 80% of the five learning modules. There were significant improvements in confidence, knowledge, skills to treat EDs and a reduction in stigmatised beliefs among the 480 participants who completed both pre and post assessments. Results from the regression models suggest that psychologists, dieticians, and those working in rural areas were more willing to treat EDs after completing the program. Additionally, those working in hospitals and regional or rural areas experienced the largest improvement in confidence for treating patients with EDs. Conclusions The Essentials program represents a new and effective way of meeting the educational needs of partaking health professionals working with ED patients. Greater investment in the development and testing of evidence-based online training programs for EDs may help to address some of the considerable workforce development challenges in EDs.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40337-019-0243-5Eating disordersEvidence-based online trainingHealth professionalsEarly identificationTreatment and preventionKnowledge |
| spellingShingle | Sarah Maguire Ang Li Michelle Cunich Danielle Maloney Evaluating the effectiveness of an evidence-based online training program for health professionals in eating disorders Journal of Eating Disorders Eating disorders Evidence-based online training Health professionals Early identification Treatment and prevention Knowledge |
| title | Evaluating the effectiveness of an evidence-based online training program for health professionals in eating disorders |
| title_full | Evaluating the effectiveness of an evidence-based online training program for health professionals in eating disorders |
| title_fullStr | Evaluating the effectiveness of an evidence-based online training program for health professionals in eating disorders |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evaluating the effectiveness of an evidence-based online training program for health professionals in eating disorders |
| title_short | Evaluating the effectiveness of an evidence-based online training program for health professionals in eating disorders |
| title_sort | evaluating the effectiveness of an evidence based online training program for health professionals in eating disorders |
| topic | Eating disorders Evidence-based online training Health professionals Early identification Treatment and prevention Knowledge |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40337-019-0243-5 |
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