Long-term effectiveness of online anaphylaxis education for pharmacists

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the long-term effectiveness of an Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) anaphylaxis e-learning program compared to lectures or no training.

Design: A controlled interrupted-time-series study of Australian pharmacists and pharmacy students who completed ASCIA anaphylaxis e-learning or lecture programs was conducted during 2011-2013. Effectiveness was measured using a validated test administered pretraining, posttraining, and 3 and 7 months after training.

Assessment: All learning groups performed significantly better on all posttests compared to the pretest, and compared to a control group (p<0.001). The proportion of e-learners achieving the minimum standard for anaphylaxis knowledge improved from 45% at pretest to 87% at 7 months.

Conclusion: The ASCIA e-learning program significantly increased anaphylaxis knowledge. The high proportion of participants achieving the minimum standard at 7 months indicates long-term knowledge change.

Keywords: Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy; adrenaline auto-injector; e-learning; evaluation; knowledge.

Figure 1.

Study groups, participation and completion rates by group and test.

Figure 2.

Mean anaphylaxis knowledge assessment scores by group and test.

Figure 3.

Change in mean anaphylaxis knowledge assessment scores by group over time. E-learning scores were similar to lecture pharmacist scores at pre-test (p=0.62), 3-month test (p=0.79) and 7-month test (p=0.31). Control scores were significantly lower than all intervention scores after training (p<0.001).