Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Medical Education
Date Submitted: Aug 28, 2018
Open Peer Review Period: Sep 11, 2018 - Nov 6, 2018
Date Accepted: Feb 17, 2019
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
A mixed methods analysis of the mCME Project V.2.0, an SMS- and web-based mHealth randomized controlled trial to stimulate higher learning amongst healthcare professionals in Vietnam
ABSTRACT
Background:
The Mobile Continuing Medical Education Project (mCME V.2.0) was a randomized controlled trial designed to test the efficacy of an SMS-based distance learning program that included daily quiz questions, links to readings and online courses, and performance feedback. The trial resulted in significant increases in self-study behaviors and higher exam scores for intervention vs. control subjects.
Objective:
We conducted qualitative and quantitative investigations to understand participants’ views of the intervention. We also developed an explanatory framework for future trial replication.
Methods:
At the endline exam, all intervention participants completed a survey on their perspectives of mCME and self-study behaviors. We convened focus group discussions (FGDs) to assess their experiences with the intervention and attitudes toward CME.
Results:
A total of 53 HIV specialists in the intervention group completed the endline survey, and 30 participated in the FGDs. Survey and focus group data suggest that a majority of clinicians liked the daily quizzes, citing them as convenient mechanisms to convey information in a relevant manner. Ninety percent of participants reported that the daily quizzes provided motivation to study for CME purposes. FGDs revealed that there are various factors that influence a clinician’s decision to engage in higher learning, or “lateral learning,” including availability, professional relevance of the topic area, and feedback. These variables serve as modifying factors that fit within an adapted version of the Health Belief Model, which can explain behavior change in this context.
Conclusions:
Qualitative and quantitative endline data suggest mCME V.2.0 was highly acceptable. Participant behaviors during the trial fit within the Health Belief Model and can explain the intervention’s impact on improving self-study behaviors. The mCME platform is an evidence-based approach with potential for adoption at national scale as a method for promoting continuing medical education. Clinical Trial: NCT02381743
Citation
Per the author's request the PDF is not available.
Copyright
© The authors. All rights reserved. This is a privileged document currently under peer-review/community review (or an accepted/rejected manuscript). Authors have provided JMIR Publications with an exclusive license to publish this preprint on it's website for review and ahead-of-print citation purposes only. While the final peer-reviewed paper may be licensed under a cc-by license on publication, at this stage authors and publisher expressively prohibit redistribution of this draft paper other than for review purposes.