Personalised versus non-individualised case-based CME: A randomised pilot study

ABSTRACT

The PinPoint Case Platform (PPCP) offers independent online case-based CME. To align with personal learning needs, a functionality of needs assessments (“QuickScan”) was developed, directing users to follow personalised case journeys. A randomised study was conducted, comparing its effectiveness, time efficiency and user experience with a format of non-individualised case-based learning. Forty-two residents in urology from five European countries were randomly assigned to follow non-individualised case-based learning (control group) or a needs assessment plus personalised case journeys on different topics in prostate cancer. After performing a pre- and post-assessment, both groups showed a similar increase in test scores (Mann-Whitney U = 247; p = .113), but the time needed for completing the learning exercise was significantly lower in the group with the personalised approach (median: 45 vs 90 minutes; Mann-Whitney U = 97.5; p = .0141). The quality of the two learning methods was similarly well received by both groups. In conclusion, learners who followed personalised case journeys learned similarly effective but more time efficient than non-individualised case-based learners. Future studies should determine if these findings can be extrapolated to board-certified physicians following CME activities.

KEYWORDS:

• Continuing medical education
• online CME
• case-based learning
• individualised learning
• prostate cancer

List Of Abbreviations

CME: Continuing Medical Education; HCP: Healthcare Professional; PPCP: PinPoint Case Platform; QS-PCJ: QuickScan plus Personalised Case Journey(s); UEMS-EACCME: European Union of Medical Specialists - European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education

Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the efforts of all experts, residents and Ismar Healthcare staff members who contributed to the development and maintenance of the PinPoint Case Platform.

Disclosure Statement

AB has received meeting support and honorarium from Sanofi, Astellas, Janssen, Bayer and AAA Pharmaceutical. NRMM, JS, JT, FVdA and TZ declare no competing interests related to the present study. NH and JY are employees of Ismar Healthcare. LS, LVR and HS are partners in Ismar Healthcare and e-HIMS. MJS has received honoraria from Astellas for lectures/chairmanship. BFT has received grants/research supports or honoraria from Amgen, Astellas, Janssens, Ferring, Sanofi, Bayer and Myovant. MCM has received speaker and/or consultancy honorary from Apogepha, Astellas, Dr. Willmar Schwabe, GSK and Sanofi-Aventis.

Availability Of Data And Materials

The data that support the findings of this study are available from Ismar Healthcare ([email protected]) but restrictions apply to the availability of these data, which were used under license for the current study, and so are not publicly available. Data are, however, available from the authors upon reasonable request and with permission of Ismar Healthcare.

Ethics Approval And Consent To Participate

Because the study is not to be considered as an experiment with human beings and not related to any medical intervention, formal institutional review was not considered necessary. In addition, participants were recruited via invitation of their supervisors in various universities in different countries, but participation was in a personal capacity, and not institution-related. Nevertheless, the study complies with Good Research Practices, following the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki through obtaining written informed consent from all participants before the start of this non-medical study. All data was handled, processed and stored in line with GDPR, ensuring that only personal data relevant to the study (country, year of residency) were collected.

Supplemental data

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/21614083.2022.2153438.

Additional information

Funding

The research and development of the individualised learning platform was funded by a grant received by the Flanders Agency for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (VLAIO) (grant agreement HBC.2019.2822).