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. 2020 May 7:18:40.
doi: 10.18332/tid/120188. eCollection 2020.

Impact of the ENSP eLearning platform on improving knowledge, attitudes and self-efficacy for treating tobacco dependence: An assessment across 15 European countries

Charis Girvalaki  1   2 , Sophia Papadakis  1   2   3   4 , Enkeleint A Mechili  2   5 , Katerina Nikitara  1   2 , Andrey Demin  6 , Antigona C Trofor  7   8 , Arben Lila  9 , Arusyak Harutyunyan  10 , Aurela Saliaj  5 , Deska Dimitrievska  11 , Francisco Rodriguez Lozano  1   12 , George Bakhturidze  13 , Javier Ayesta  14 , Krzysztof Przewoźniak  15   16 , Maria Sofia Cattaruzza  17   18 , Marija Zdraveska  11 , Mihaela Lovše  19 , Biljana Kilibarda  20 , Otto Stoyka  21 , Panagiotis Behrakis  22   23 , Pierre Bizel  24 , Polina Starchenko  1 , Shkumbin Spahija  9 , Cornel Radu-Loghin  1 , Constantine I Vardavas  1   2
Affiliations

Impact of the ENSP eLearning platform on improving knowledge, attitudes and self-efficacy for treating tobacco dependence: An assessment across 15 European countries

Charis Girvalaki et al. Tob Induc Dis. .

Abstract

Introduction: In 2018, the European Network for Smoking Cessation and Prevention (ENSP) released an update to its Tobacco Treatment Guidelines for healthcare professionals, which was the scientific base for the development of an accredited eLearning curriculum to train healthcare professionals, available in 14 languages. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of ENSP eLearning curriculum in increasing healthcare professionals' knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy (perceived behavioral control) and intentions in delivering tobacco treatment interventions in their daily clinical routines.

Methods: We conducted a quasi-experimental pre-post design study with 444 healthcare professionals, invited by 20 collaborating institutions from 15 countries (Albania, Armenia, Belgium, Italy, France, Georgia, Greece, Kosovo, Romania, North Macedonia, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Ukraine), which completed the eLearning course between December 2018 and July 2019.

Results: Healthcare professionals' self-reported knowledge improved after the completion of each module of the eLearning program. Increases in healthcare professionals' self-efficacy in delivering tobacco treatment interventions (p<0.001) were also documented. Significant improvements were documented in intentions to address tobacco use as a priority, document tobacco use, offer support, provide brief counselling, give written material, discuss available medication, prescribe medication, schedule dedicated appointment to develop a quit plan, and be persistent in addressing tobacco use with the patients (all p<0.001).

Conclusions: An evidence-based digital intervention can be effective in improving knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy and intentions on future delivery of tobacco-treatment interventions.

Keywords: eLearning; evidence-based strategies; healthcare professionals; smoking cessation.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have each completed and submitted an ICMJE form for disclosure of potential conflicts of interest. The authors declare that they have no competing interests, financial or otherwise, related to the current work. K. Przewoźniak reports grants and personal fees from Polska Liga Walki z Rakiem (Polish League Against Cancer), and grants and personal fees from Start-up Helping Hand powered by addictions.ai, outside the submitted work. C.I. Vardavas reports that he is the Strategic Development Editor of TID and reports that there is no conflict of interest with this current work.

References

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