Evaluation of a Sickle Cell Disease Educational Website for Emergency Providers

Abstract

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a complex multisystem debilitating disease. Despite its complexity, health care providers who are not SCD experts receive little formal education on SCD. An open-access, educational website, “Emergency Department Sickle Cell Disease: Crisis Management and Beyond,” was created to provide education about SCD to emergency department (ED) providers who are not SCD experts but who provide care for patients with SCD. Electronic surveys were used to conduct a formal evaluation of the accuracy and relevance of the website's content, as well as the effectiveness of the education modules in improving knowledge among health care providers. The evaluation consisted of (1) individual module pre- and post-knowledge assessment, (2) content validity assessment of educational modules, (3) overall website content assessment, and (4) overall website assessment (Health on the Net core principles). A convenient sample of ED providers, accelerated bachelor of science in nursing students, SCD experts, and website experts completed the anonymous surveys. Descriptive statistics and paired t tests were used to compare mean difference in post- minus pre-knowledge test scores. Knowledge scores statistically improved for nursing students (p value less than 0.0001). Emergency department providers showed a mean improvement of 3.2 points on the eight-item knowledge assessment. Both SCD experts and ED providers agreed that the module content was clear and easy to understand, accurate, comprehensive, relevant, and met module objectives. Participants agreed that the website was clear, easy to navigate, and visually appealing. Website experts stated that the website met much of the Health on the Net criteria. The website is a useful resource for providers and nursing students, especially those who serve or plan to serve in EDs.

A Feasibility Pilot Study of Online Modules of Hydroxyurea and Sickle Cell Disease Care for Adolescents and Young Adults for Family Medicine Residents

“…Only 4 ED physicians completed both assessments, but SCD knowledge of the nursing students increased significantly in postmodule assessments. Long-term knowledge retention was not measured in these studies 23,24…”

“…Long-term knowledge retention was not measured in these studies. 23,24 Future plans for FP resident education include incorporation of an evaluation of the online modules as well as measuring the time spent viewing the materials as a more direct metric for those unable to attend the module viewing in person. Viewing the modules in a group setting may have had an effect on FPs' ability to learn the material.…”

A rapid evidence assessment of sickle cell disease educational interventions

“…Trial registration: This review was not registered. (Glassberg, 2017), SCD clinical data dictionary-a 'comprehensive learning healthcare system' in the electronic patient record (Miller et al, 2020), openaccess SCD website for HCP and students (Kayle et al, 2016), and SCD-based course/curricula (Bulgin et al, 2019) 3. To make appropriate recommendations relevant to practice with focus on the UK.…”

“…SCD‐related educational interventions have been developed in the form of face‐to‐face teaching sessions (workshops/seminars, group discussion), SCD videos and websites to teach HCPs the pathophysiology, clinical complications and acute pain management of SCD. These interventions have been presented as flow charts/algorithms to implement guidelines or protocols for the management of SCD (Glassberg, 2017 ), SCD clinical data dictionary—a ‘comprehensive learning healthcare system’ in the electronic patient record (Miller et al, 2020 ), open‐access SCD website for HCP and students (Kayle et al, 2016 ), and SCD‐based course/curricula (Bulgin et al, 2019 ). The educational interventions are developed and implemented by researchers who are mainly haematology or oncology consultants/experts in SCD who also educate specialist nurses as face‐to‐face facilitators.…”