Efficacy of an Educational Web Site for Educating Physicians about Bioterrorism

Abstract

Objectives: To determine whether a Web-based educational intervention improves emergency physicians' knowledge about bioterrorism and to survey physicians' knowledge and sources of information on bioterrorism. Methods: Prospective randomized controlled trial using pre-and postintervention testing in hospitals. Participants were general and pediatric emergency medicine attending physicians, fellows, and fourth-year emergency medicine residents. All participants completed a pretest and attended a lecture on bioterrorism. Participants were then randomized to the Web intervention group that received continuous access to a bioterrorism educational Web site with weekly exposure to case scenarios of diseases due to biological agents, or the control group. Participants were retested after one and six months and surveyed to identify their sources of information and assess their knowledge. Results: Sixty-three physicians completed the pretest. There was no difference in mean 6 standard deviation (SD) pretest scores between Web intervention (45% 6 10%) and control (44% 6 10%) groups (mean difference: 1.9%; 95% confidence interval [CI] = ÿ6.7% to 2.9%). There was no significant difference between pre-and posttest scores among groups at one month (Web intervention 48% 6 10% vs. control 45% 6 10%; mean difference: 3.3%; 95% CI = ÿ8.5% to 2.0%) and six months (Web intervention 51% 6 8% vs. control 47% 6 9%; mean difference: 3.8%; 95% CI = ÿ8.8% to 1.2%). More than 60% of physicians cited media reports as their primary source of information on bioterrorism and believed that their knowledge of bioterrorism was limited after one month. Conclusions: Providing physicians information on bioterrorism through simulated cases and continuous access to an educational Web site does not increase knowledge of bioterrorism. Physicians are more likely to use media reports for their primary source of information.

A simulation-based biodefense and disaster preparedness curriculum for internal medicine residents

“…One attractive method of disseminating information in terms of cost and accessibility are web-based programs. Those utilizing a passive learning process have reported mixed success (Chung et al 2004;Terndrup et al 2005). An interactive, case-based online module significantly improved Internal Medicine resident and attending physician's short term level of knowledge regarding potential biologic agents (Cosgrove et al 2005).…”

“…Physicians are likely to be among the first responders to an occult bioweapon attack. Since early recognition of specific disease entities and appropriate reporting to public health authorities may decrease overall morbidity and mortality and improve our ability to contain the spread of transmissible disease, physician education is a vital part of our defense (Artenstein et al 2002;Chung et al 2004;Wynia & Gostin 2004;Cosgrove et al 2005). Unlike basic life support (BLS) and advanced cardiac life Support (ACLS) training, biodefense is not well integrated into the curricula of most internal medicine residency or pulmonary and critical care medicine fellowship programs.…”

“…Despite heightened awareness regarding the threat of pandemic influenza, bioterrorism, and other natural and manmade disasters, physicians remain poorly trained to recognize and respond appropriately to these events (Pesik et al 1999;Chen et al 2002;Chung et al 2004;Cosgrove et al 2005;Terndrup et al 2005). Physicians are likely to be among the first responders to an occult bioweapon attack.…”

“…Unlike basic life support (BLS) and advanced cardiac life Support (ACLS) training, biodefense is not well integrated into the curricula of most internal medicine residency or pulmonary and critical care medicine fellowship programs. Emergency medicine training programs have led the way in this field (Chung et al 2004;Terndrup et al 2005;Moye et al 2007). …”

Online Bioterrorism Continuing Medical Education: Development and Preliminary Testing

“…2 A recent survey of emergency physicians supported the development and implementation of comprehensive bioterrorism preparedness plans to resolve deficiencies, including physician education and training. 1 A prospective, randomized trial of an educational Web site for educating physicians about bioterrorism demonstrated no increase in knowledge, 3 but 30% of physicians randomized to the site did not access it despite weekly e-mail prompts. Of those who did access the site (total, 17), one third spent 20 minutes or less on the site.…”