RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B serology is complex and a lack of knowledge in interpretation contributes to the inadequate levels of screening and referral for highly effective hepatitis antiviral treatments. This knowledge gap needs to be addressed so that current and future healthcare professionals are more confident in the detection and assessment of hepatitis B to improve the uptake of treatment and reduce long-term complications from the disease. Cartoons have been used effectively as a teaching tool in other settings and were considered as a potentially useful teaching aid in explaining hepatitis B serology. This study examines the impact of cartoons in improving healthcare professionals' knowledge. METHODS: A cartoon based learning tool designed to simplify the complexities of hepatitis B serology was developed as part of an online learning program for medical practitioners, nurses and students in these professions. A retrospective analysis was carried out of pre and post online test results. RESULTS: An average improvement of 96% of correct answers to case study questions in hepatitis B serology was found across all ten questions following the use of an online cartoon based learning tool. CONCLUSION: The data indicates a significant improvement of participants' knowledge of hepatitis B serology from pre-test to post-test immediately following an online cartoon based learning tool. However, further research is required to measure its long term impact.
Assuntos
Desenhos Animados como Assunto , Instrução por Computador/métodos , Educação Médica/métodos , Educação Profissionalizante/métodos , Hepatite B/diagnóstico , Materiais de Ensino , Análise de Variância , Avaliação Educacional , Feminino , Pessoal de Saúde/educação , Hepatite B/imunologia , Humanos , Aprendizagem , Modelos Lineares , Masculino , Estudos Retrospectivos , Testes Sorológicos/métodos , Índice de Gravidade de DoençaRESUMO
One in three men and one in four women in Australia will be diagnosed with cancer in the first 75 years of life. The majority will survive the cancer and ultimately die from unrelated causes. Many cancer patients and their families will experience some physical, social, economic and psychological sequelae, regardless of the prognosis. A recurring theme is that patients are disadvantaged by the lack of coordination of care and their needs are not being adequately met. We argue that greater integration of care through a multidisciplinary team of professionals, peer support groups and primary health practitioners functioning within a care hub could offer better practical and psychosocial supportive care for patients and their families.