“The ABCs of AD”: A prospective evaluation of the efficacy of an educational intervention to increase knowledge of autonomic dysreflexia management among emergency health care professionals

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2016 · DOI: 10.1179/2045772315Y.0000000037 · Published: March 1, 2016

Simple Explanation

The study evaluated the effectiveness of “The ABCs of AD” seminar in improving healthcare professionals' knowledge about autonomic dysreflexia (AD). AD is a dangerous condition involving sudden, severe high blood pressure that can affect individuals with spinal cord injuries. Emergency room staff often lack sufficient knowledge about AD. The seminar aimed to improve their ability to recognize, diagnose, and manage AD effectively to prevent serious complications. The study found that the seminar improved the participants' knowledge of AD immediately after the training. However, this knowledge decreased after three months, indicating a need for more effective learning strategies to ensure long-term retention.

Study Duration

9 Months

Participants

108 ER professionals pre/post seminar, 23 at 3-month follow-up

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Participants showed significantly higher AD knowledge test scores immediately following the seminar, indicating improved understanding of AD recognition, diagnosis, and management.
2
AD knowledge test scores decreased significantly between the post-seminar assessment and the 3-month follow-up, suggesting that knowledge retention was not sustained over time.
3
Most participants believed that the seminar changed their AD knowledge and rated the seminar information as potentially influential in changing their clinical practice.

Research Summary

The study assessed the efficacy of “The ABCs of AD” seminar in enhancing emergency health care professionals' (HCPs) knowledge of autonomic dysreflexia (AD) recognition, diagnosis, and management. The seminar improved HCPs' perceived and actual AD knowledge in the short-term. However, the knowledge gain was not sustained at the 3-month follow-up. The authors recommend incorporating additional active learning strategies and follow-up activities to enhance knowledge retention in both the short- and long-term. An online training module is being developed to broaden the reach of the AD clinical practice guidelines.

Practical Implications

Improved Education

The study underscores the need for effective educational interventions to enhance healthcare professionals' knowledge of AD, potentially leading to better patient outcomes.

Enhanced Knowledge Retention

The findings suggest that continuous reinforcement and active learning strategies are crucial to ensure long-term retention of AD knowledge among HCPs.

Wider Dissemination

Translating the seminar into an online module can facilitate broader dissemination of AD clinical practice guidelines, reaching more healthcare professionals and improving care for patients with SCI.

Study Limitations

1
Low response rate at the 3-month follow-up
2
Knowledge alone is insufficient for practice change
3
Traditional didactic approaches may have limited impact on changes in HCPs’ behaviour

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