Introduction: While there have been recent advances in therapeutic options for the management of patients with sickle cells disease (SCD), hematology providers remain challenged by how to deliver an individualized approach to care, negatively impacting patient outcomes. To address this practice gap and identify drivers that underlie persisting challenges, an interactive continuing medical education (CME) activity was developed and implemented.

Methods: Vindico Medical Education provided an interactive web-based CME activity on CME.Healio.com that was available for credit for one year starting August 31, 2022. The activity included opportunities for interaction with the content to encourage engagement, transfer knowledge, improve confidence, and encourage appropriate practice patterns. Impact of education was measured by comparing paired pre- and post-test responses.

Results: As of July 2023, 221 hematology/oncology providers, including 116 MDs and advanced practice providers (APPs) and 105 nurses, who each see an average of 4 patients with SCD per month participated in the education. At baseline, scores on questions related to the latest evidence regarding new SCD therapies were low in both professional cohorts - an average 30% for MD/APPs and 16% for nurses. Moreover, 95% of HCPs in both cohorts lacked confidence in their knowledge of these agents and their appropriate use. This lack of knowledge and confidence translated into practice gaps. Specifically, 48% of those involved in treatment decisions indicated in the pre-test that they had never used a newer option for SCD management, and only 17% reported that they always consider the latest evidence when individualizing treatment for patients. On a post-test, however, the MD/APP and nurse cohorts scored an average of 81% and 84%, respectively, indicative of a robust impact of the education on clinician knowledge. Similarly, there was a 41% absolute increase in clinician confidence in understanding the latest evidence. These gains in knowledge and confidence translated into post-education planned practice improvements, with completers 22% more likely to apply this knowledge to clinical decision-making.

Conclusion: Hematology/oncology providers lack knowledge and confidence regarding the latest evidence in SCD treatment. While the use of interactive CME led to robust gains in knowledge and confidence, follow-up case-based education is needed to facilitate the application of knowledge to practice while continuing to improve clinician confidence.

No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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2023
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