Effects of training physicians in electronic prescribing in the outpatient setting on clinical, learning and behavioural outcomes: a cluster randomized trial.

AIMS: Electronic prescribing systems may improve medication safety, but only when used appropriately. The effects of task analysis-based training on clinical, learning and behavioural outcomes were evaluated in the outpatient setting, compared with the usual educational approach. METHODS: This was a multicentre, cluster randomized trial [EDUCATional intervention for IT-mediated MEDication management (MEDUCATE trial)], with physicians as the unit of analysis. It took place in the outpatient clinics of two academic hospitals. Participants comprised specialists and residents (specialty trainees, in the UK) and their patients. Training took the form of a small-group session and an e-learning. The primary outcome was the proportion of medication discrepancies per physician, measured as discrepancies between medications registered by physicians in the electronic prescribing system and those reported by patients. Clinical consequences were estimated by the proportion of patients per physician with at least one missed drug-drug interaction with the potential for causing adverse drug events. A questionnaire assessed physicians' knowledge and skills. RESULTS: Among 124 participating physicians, primary outcome data for 115 (93%) were available. A total of 1094 patients were included. A mean of 48% of registered medications per physician were discrepant with the medications that their patients reported in both groups (P = 0.14). Due to registration omissions, a mean of 4% of patients per physician had one or more missed drug-drug interactions with the potential to cause a clinically relevant adverse drug event in the intervention group, and 7% in controls (P = 0.11). The percentages of correct answers on the knowledge and skills test were higher in the intervention group (57%) compared with controls (51%; P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: The training equipped outpatient physicians with the knowledge and skills for appropriate use of electronic prescribing systems, but had no effect on medication discrepancies.

[Improve, but measure in moderation; quality management in specialty residency training]. / Verbeter, maar meet met mate.

Intuitively, we believe we gain knowledge through taking measurements, and our appetite for quality measurement in general has grown spectacularly. However, this approach has to be qualified. Many aspects of quality are difficult to measure, yet are very important, and choosing what to measure may be heavily influenced by the availability bias of instruments. Moreover, a lot can be known without actually measuring. Quantitative results tend to offer false reassurance simply by their abundance, and results presented by means of Likert scales may obscure the crucial critique of a minority of respondents. Narrative comments in surveys are often much more meaningful as they can foster an open dialogue between residents and their clinical teachers, preferably led by a neutral chairperson. Contrary to what is often claimed, it is even possible to engage in improvement without prior measurement. I propose measuring only in moderation and instead devoting time and money to patient care and educating residents, and on the design and execution of improvement plans.

MEDUCATE trial: effectiveness of an intensive EDUCATional intervention for IT-mediated MEDication management in the outpatient clinic - study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Using information technology for medication management is an opportunity to help physicians to improve the quality of their documentation and communication and ultimately to improve patient care and patient safety. Physician education is necessary to take full advantage of information technology systems. In this trial, we seek to determine the effectiveness of an intensive educational intervention compared with the standard approach in improving information technology-mediated medication management and in reducing potential adverse drug events in the outpatient clinic. METHODS/DESIGN: We are conducting a multicenter, cluster randomized controlled trial. The participants are specialists and residents working in the outpatient clinic of internal medicine, cardiology, pulmonology, geriatrics, gastroenterology and rheumatology. The intensive educational intervention is composed of a small-group session and e-learning. The primary outcome is discrepancies between registered medication (by physicians) and actually used medication (by patients). The key secondary outcomes are potential adverse events caused by missed drug-drug interactions. The primary and key secondary endpoints are being assessed shortly after the educational intervention is completed. Sample size will be calculated to ensure sufficient power. A sample size of 40 physicians per group and 20 patients per physician will ensure a power of >90 %, which means we will need a total of 80 physicians and 1,600 patients. DISCUSSION: We performed an exploratory trial wherein we tested the recruitment process, e-learning, time schedule, and methods for data collection, data management and data analysis. Accordingly, we refined the processes and content: the recruitment strategy was intensified, extra measures were taken to facilitate smooth conductance of the e-learning and parts were made optional. First versions of the procedures for data collection were determined. Data entry and analysis was further standardized by using the G-standard database in the telephone questionnaire. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN registry: ISRCTN50890124 . Registered 10 June 2013.

Task analysis of information technology-mediated medication management in outpatient care.

AIMS: Educating physicians in the procedural as well as cognitive skills of information technology (IT)-mediated medication management could be one of the missing links for the improvement of patient safety. We aimed to compose a framework of tasks that need to be addressed to optimize medication management in outpatient care. METHODS: Formal task analysis: decomposition of a complex task into a set of subtasks. First, we obtained a general description of the medication management process from exploratory interviews. Secondly, we interviewed experts in-depth to further define tasks and subtasks. SETTING: Outpatient care in different fields of medicine in six teaching and academic medical centres in the Netherlands and the United States. PARTICIPANTS: 20 experts. Tasks were divided up into procedural, cognitive and macrocognitive tasks and categorized into the three components of dynamic decision making. RESULTS: The medication management process consists of three components: (i) reviewing the medication situation; (ii) composing a treatment plan; and (iii) accomplishing and communicating a treatment and surveillance plan. Subtasks include multiple cognitive tasks such as composing a list of current medications and evaluating the reliability of sources, and procedural tasks such as documenting current medication. The identified macrocognitive tasks were: planning, integration of IT in workflow, managing uncertainties and responsibilities, and problem detection. CONCLUSIONS: All identified procedural, cognitive and macrocognitive skills should be included when designing education for IT-mediated medication management. The resulting framework supports the design of educational interventions to improve IT-mediated medication management in outpatient care.

[Full clinical placements for medical students can start as early as the third year of medical training]. / Volwaardige coassistentschappen kunnen al in het derde studiejaar beginnen.

The undergraduate medical curriculum in Utrecht provides students with early clinical experience in their third year by two full clinical placements in general medical areas. With this, an optimum context for the integration of biomedical knowledge is achieved. The doctor in training gains experience in an authentic setting as early as possible in the medical education programme with modern opinions on professionalism that fit in with current societal requirements.

Macrosomia despite good glycaemic control in Type I diabetic pregnancy; results of a nationwide study in The Netherlands.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: To investigate the incidence of foetal macrosomia (i.e. birth weight >90th percentile) in a non-selected nationwide cohort of women with Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus in The Netherlands and to identify risk indicators predictive for macrosomia. METHODS: We conducted a prospective nationwide cohort based survey regarding the outcome of Type I diabetic pregnancy in The Netherlands. Data of 289 women who gave birth to a live singleton infant without major congenital malformations at more than or equal to 28 weeks of gestation are shown. RESULTS: The incidence of foetal macrosomia was very high (48.8%), with 26.6% of infants weighing more than 97.7th percentile. Glycaemic control during pregnancy was good (i.e. mean HbA(1c)