Online osteoarthritis training programme for community-based clinicians: Mixed methods cohort study.

Area of Science:

• Health Professions Education
• Musculoskeletal Health
• Public Health

Background:

• Core osteoarthritis interventions are best delivered in community settings.
• Many community clinicians lack the confidence and competence for high-quality, culturally-safe, evidence-based osteoarthritis care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess changes in community-based dietitians', pharmacists', and physiotherapists' knowledge and confidence in treating knee osteoarthritis after online KneeCAPS training.
• To explore clinicians' perceptions of the training's usefulness, learning outcomes, and impact on their ability to provide osteoarthritis care.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods cohort study utilizing quantitative measures and qualitative free-text and focus group interviews.
• 158 clinicians completed baseline measures, with 121 finishing training and 68 providing 3-month follow-up; 17 participated in focus groups.

Main Results:

• Significant increases observed in Osteoarthritis Knowledge Scale scores (mean change 6.7) and Confidence in Osteoarthritis Skills scores (mean change 11.8).
• Clinicians found the training thorough, helpful, and clinically applicable, reporting increased confidence and skills in managing osteoarthritis.
• Key learning themes included culturally-safe relationship-building, evidence-based osteoarthritis paradigms, supporting behavior change, and the impact of language on patient relationships.

Conclusions:

• The KneeCAPS osteoarthritis training effectively improved clinician knowledge and confidence in managing knee osteoarthritis.
• Training particularly enhanced skills related to culturally-safe relationships, understanding OA paradigms, supporting behavior change, and communication for patient participation.