Contributions
Abstract: EP1710
Type: Poster Sessions
Abstract Category: Therapy - Others
Introduction: Disease modifying therapies (DMTs) for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) continue to evolve, with established and emerging therapies differing in how they modulate the immune system. Although neurologists are generally aware of the efficacy and safety of DMTs, they often lack substantive knowledge of the mechanistic basis for their treatment effects. An online educational activity was developed with the goal of improving neurologists' knowledge of the effect of MS-relevant DMTs on immune function.
Methods: An online educational intervention was developed in the form of a 30-minute video lecture with synchronized slides. Educational effectiveness was assessed with a repeated pairs pre-/post- assessment study design in which each individual served as his/her own control. Responses to 3 knowledge-based and 1 self-efficacy questions were analyzed. A chi-square test assessed changes from pre- to post-assessment. Cramer's V was used to calculate the effect size of online education. Data from the assessment were collected between March 22, 2018 and April 16, 2018.
Results: A comparison of responses from pre- to post-assessment questions demonstrated a considerable educational effect (n=153; V=0.17; P< .01). Participation in this educational intervention showed improvements in the following areas (P< .05): identification of therapies that function by immune reconstitution and the consequences of using DMTs that utilize short-term vs continuous immune suppression. There was a positive but not significant change in learners who correctly identified the patient type most likely to benefit from immune reconstitution therapy. Activity participation resulted in 20% of participants noting an increase in confidence in identifying patients with MS who are candidates for immune reconstitution therapy.
Conclusion: This study demonstrated the success of a targeted online, video lecture on improving neurologists' knowledge of modulation of the immune system by DMTs for MS. Additional education is needed to further address the impact of DMT use on immune function.
Disclosure: The educational activity and outcomes analysis was supported by an unrestricted educational grant from EMD Serono.
Thomas Finnegan: Nothing to disclose
Catherine Murray: Nothing to disclose
John Maeglin: Nothing to disclose
Gavin Giovannoni: Served as an advisor or consultant for: AbbVie Inc.; Bayer Schering Pharma; Biogen; Canbex Therapeutics Ltd; Eisai Inc.; Elan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; EMD Serono, Inc.; FivePrime Therapeutics; Genentech, Inc.; Genzyme Corporation; GlaxoSmithKline; GW Pharmaceuticals; Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Merck & Co., Inc.; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; Pfizer Inc; Roche; sanofi-aventis; Synthon BV; Teva Pharmaceuticals USA; UCB Pharma, Inc.; Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
Abstract: EP1710
Type: Poster Sessions
Abstract Category: Therapy - Others
Introduction: Disease modifying therapies (DMTs) for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) continue to evolve, with established and emerging therapies differing in how they modulate the immune system. Although neurologists are generally aware of the efficacy and safety of DMTs, they often lack substantive knowledge of the mechanistic basis for their treatment effects. An online educational activity was developed with the goal of improving neurologists' knowledge of the effect of MS-relevant DMTs on immune function.
Methods: An online educational intervention was developed in the form of a 30-minute video lecture with synchronized slides. Educational effectiveness was assessed with a repeated pairs pre-/post- assessment study design in which each individual served as his/her own control. Responses to 3 knowledge-based and 1 self-efficacy questions were analyzed. A chi-square test assessed changes from pre- to post-assessment. Cramer's V was used to calculate the effect size of online education. Data from the assessment were collected between March 22, 2018 and April 16, 2018.
Results: A comparison of responses from pre- to post-assessment questions demonstrated a considerable educational effect (n=153; V=0.17; P< .01). Participation in this educational intervention showed improvements in the following areas (P< .05): identification of therapies that function by immune reconstitution and the consequences of using DMTs that utilize short-term vs continuous immune suppression. There was a positive but not significant change in learners who correctly identified the patient type most likely to benefit from immune reconstitution therapy. Activity participation resulted in 20% of participants noting an increase in confidence in identifying patients with MS who are candidates for immune reconstitution therapy.
Conclusion: This study demonstrated the success of a targeted online, video lecture on improving neurologists' knowledge of modulation of the immune system by DMTs for MS. Additional education is needed to further address the impact of DMT use on immune function.
Disclosure: The educational activity and outcomes analysis was supported by an unrestricted educational grant from EMD Serono.
Thomas Finnegan: Nothing to disclose
Catherine Murray: Nothing to disclose
John Maeglin: Nothing to disclose
Gavin Giovannoni: Served as an advisor or consultant for: AbbVie Inc.; Bayer Schering Pharma; Biogen; Canbex Therapeutics Ltd; Eisai Inc.; Elan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; EMD Serono, Inc.; FivePrime Therapeutics; Genentech, Inc.; Genzyme Corporation; GlaxoSmithKline; GW Pharmaceuticals; Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Merck & Co., Inc.; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; Pfizer Inc; Roche; sanofi-aventis; Synthon BV; Teva Pharmaceuticals USA; UCB Pharma, Inc.; Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated