Pilot Testing a Series of Value-Based Care Training Courses

The US healthcare system currently emphasizes volume of services over value. To facilitate changing to a value-based care model, one managed care organization developed a series of online courses designed to teach clinicians value-based care principles and practices. A pilot test was conducted to obtain feedback regarding course content and design, so the courses could be revised prior to their launch.

A representative cross section of the courses' target audience (n = 50) was recruited to participate in the pilot test, and data were collected through an online survey. Descriptive statistics were calculated for responses to close-ended survey questions, and affinity analysis was performed on responses to open-ended survey questions. Issues identified were then categorized as urgent/not urgent with respect to course revision.

Nearly a quarter (24%) of respondents indicated that the course contained incorrect or misleading information. Other responses noted inconsistencies in course content, eg, misspelled or mispronounced words, slides that were hard to read, etc.

This study demonstrates how a pilot test was used as part of a formative assessment to improve course content and design. During a pilot test, attention should be paid to making it easy for participants to provide feedback.