The co-development and evaluation of an e-learning course on spinal cord injury physical activity counselling: a randomized controlled trial

BMC Medical Education, 2024 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-05141-7 · Published: February 6, 2024

Spinal Cord Injury Education Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

Health professionals play a key role in promoting physical activity for people with spinal cord injuries (SCI). This study focused on creating and testing an online course to help these professionals have better conversations about physical activity with their SCI clients. The course was developed with input from experts and people with SCI, ensuring it met their needs. A study was then conducted where some professionals took the course, and their knowledge and confidence were compared to a group that did not. The results showed that those who took the course improved their knowledge and confidence in counselling people with SCI about physical activity. Participants also found the course user-friendly and beneficial.

Study Duration

9 March– 1 June 2023

Participants

41 participants with various backgrounds (e.g., lifestyle counsellors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, recreation therapists, fitness trainers)

Evidence Level

Level 1: Randomized controlled trial and Mixed-methods

Key Findings

1
Participants in the intervention group showed significantly improved knowledge on the best practices for SCI physical activity counselling compared to the control group.
2
Participants in the intervention group reported higher self-efficacy for using the best practices in conversations with clients with SCI compared to the control group.
3
Participants reported above average usability scores, positive learning experiences, and high levels of satisfaction when completing the course.

Research Summary

This study co-developed and evaluated an e-learning course on SCI physical activity counselling, using a systematic, multi-step, theory-informed approach. The e-learning course improved participants’ knowledge and self-efficacy in using best practices for physical activity counselling with clients with SCI. The e-learning course was found to be feasible, user-friendly, and ready for implementation in various health and community settings, with participants reporting positive learning experiences and high satisfaction levels.

Practical Implications

Template for E-learning Development

Provides a template for reporting on the co-development and evaluation of evidence-based e-learning resources.

Meaningful End-User Engagement

Highlights the importance of meaningfully engaging end-users in the development and evaluation of e-learning resources.

Improved Physical Activity Support

Suggests that the e-learning course can help professionals better support people with SCI to engage in physical activity.

Study Limitations

1
The majority of participants worked in Canada, limiting the generalizability to other English-speaking countries.
2
The study sample was predominantly white/European, limiting the understanding of its applicability to other ethnicities and lived experiences.
3
The study did not compare the e-learning course with other types of training opportunities.

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