Bridging the gap between evidence and practice: a national level initiative to implement Standard Treatment...

Health outcomes in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) have improved, but poor-quality care, driven by inconsistent clinical practices due to differences in training, settings, and resources, remains a major barrier. Lack of adherence to Standard Treatment Guidelines (STGs) increases healthcare costs and worsens outcomes, especially in rural areas with limited access to continuing education and specialist care.

From July 2022 to June 2023, 12 monthly, case-based webinars on high-priority conditions (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, epilepsy, COPD, burns, poisoning, trauma, dog and snake bites). Open to pan-India participation from all levels of the health system, these sessions used pre- and post-tests to measure learning.

A total of 7,404 providers participated (mean 617/session), with 1,468 completing both tests. Baseline scores were lowest for pediatric care, chronic disease, and envenomation topics. Post-webinar scores rose significantly in every session (p < 0.001), with the largest gains where initial knowledge was poorest. Improvements were uniform across doctors and nurses, public and private sectors, and all care levels, particularly in primary and secondary settings. The initiative reduced isolation, raised awareness of evidence-based practices, and highlighted care inconsistencies.

This nationwide digital educational initiative significantly improved provider knowledge and engagement through expert-led, case-based sessions. This scalable, cost-effective model holds promise for reducing practice variation and strengthening evidence-based care in resource-limited settings.