NCT01168323

Brief Summary

Two memory research findings (the spacing and testing effects) can dramatically improve retention of learning, but they have largely have been ignored by educators. The researchers have developed a novel form of online education (termed 'spaced education') based on these two effects which has been shown in randomized trials to improve knowledge acquisition and boost learning retention. Using prostate cancer screening as an experimental system, the researchers investigated whether spaced education could durably improve clinicians' behaviors, not just their knowledge.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
95

participants targeted

Target at P50-P75 for not_applicable prostate-cancer

Timeline
Completed

Started Jan 2007

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

January 1, 2007

Completed
2.1 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

February 1, 2009

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

February 1, 2009

Completed
1.5 years until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

July 20, 2010

Completed
3 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

July 23, 2010

Completed
Last Updated

August 9, 2010

Status Verified

July 1, 2010

Enrollment Period

2.1 years

First QC Date

July 20, 2010

Last Update Submit

August 6, 2010

Conditions

Prostate Cancer

Keywords

Medical EducationEducational TechnologyClinical Practice GuidelineProstate specific antigen

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Percentage of inappropriate prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening performed by clinicians

    The primary outcome measure was the difference in the percentage of inappropriate PSA screening performed by clinicians in the spaced education and control cohorts. Based on published clinical guidelines and reports, inappropriate PSA utilization was defined as the use of PSA for prostate cancer screening in patients \>76 or \<40 years old, or with an estimated life expectancy of less than 10 years.

    Weeks 1-108

Secondary Outcomes (4)

  • Change in test scores between cohorts measured in weeks 1-36

    Weeks 1-36

  • Change in spaced education performance measured in weeks 1-36

    Weeks 1-36

  • Clinicians' intention to participate in future spaced education programs

    Week 36

  • Time required by clinicians to complete the spaced education questions-explanations

    Week 36

Study Arms (2)

Spaced education clinicians - cohort 1

EXPERIMENTAL

Spaced education clinicians receive four isomorphic cycles of 9 spaced education emails over 36-weeks (0-2 emails per week). Each email contained one question-explanation.

Behavioral: Online spaced education

Control clinicians - cohort 2

NO INTERVENTION

Control clinicians received no intervention

Interventions

Online spaced educationBEHAVIORAL

Spaced education is currently delivered via periodic emails that contain clinical case scenarios and multiple-choice questions. Upon submitting answers to each question online, clinicians receive immediate feedback and educational material. The questions are then repeated over spaced intervals of time to harness the pedagogical benefits of the spacing effect.

Spaced education clinicians - cohort 1

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Primary care providers (physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants) from the 8 Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals in the New England region (Veterans Integrated Service Network 1 \[VISN-1\]) were eligible to enroll.

You may not qualify if:

  • Primary care providers (PCPs) who ordered PSA as a screen for prostate cancer less than 10 times each year were excluded.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System

Boston, Massachusetts, 02130, United States

Location

Related Publications (1)

  • Kerfoot BP, Lawler EV, Sokolovskaya G, Gagnon D, Conlin PR. Durable improvements in prostate cancer screening from online spaced education a randomized controlled trial. Am J Prev Med. 2010 Nov;39(5):472-8. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2010.07.016.

    PMID: 20965387DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Prostatic Neoplasms

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Genital Neoplasms, MaleUrogenital NeoplasmsNeoplasms by SiteNeoplasmsGenital Diseases, MaleGenital DiseasesUrogenital DiseasesProstatic DiseasesMale Urogenital Diseases

Study Officials

  • B. Price Kerfoot, MD EdM

    VA Boston Healthcare System, Harvard Medical School

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Purpose
HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

July 20, 2010

First Posted

July 23, 2010

Study Start

January 1, 2007

Primary Completion

February 1, 2009

Study Completion

February 1, 2009

Last Updated

August 9, 2010

Record last verified: 2010-07

Locations

US(1)