Evaluation of a Novel Web-Based Active Learning Tool for Primary Care Physicians' Continuing Professional Development...

The lack of osteoporosis treatment initiation following fragility fractures is a recognized gap, particularly in primary care. Primary care physicians' (PCPs) barriers to treatment, such as uncertainties in investigation, initiation, and concerns about drug side effects, remain challenging. It is also unclear whether knowledge gaps and barriers vary by region or if active learning platforms are more effective than passive methods in improving treatment rates, and how PCP demographics influence learning outcomes. With time constraints, PCPs are increasingly using online platforms for continuing professional development, and the interactive online Community Fracture Capture (CFC) tool has emerged as a promising alternative to traditional methods. Our CFC pilot study tested this program's design and content, revealing its potential effectiveness.

The study aimed to assess the operational characteristics, educational effectiveness, and acceptability of the interactive online CFC model in enhancing Australian PCPs' knowledge and skills in community-based fracture treatment. Additionally, it sought to examine how PCPs' knowledge and treatment gaps relate to their demographic characteristics and clinical practice backgrounds.

The CFC Learning Hub is a secure, adaptable online platform that promotes community learning. It includes an interactive forum where participants share case studies and engage in discussions with bone specialists and senior PCP facilitators. The hub also offers a knowledge repository and allows participants to post inquiries. Online surveys and back-end analytics track baseline knowledge, activity levels, and improvements in knowledge and confidence over time, offering insights into participants' learning and program development.

Four 6-week small-group cycles involved 55 PCPs, with over 80% working in metropolitan-based practices and a median (IQR) of 22 (16-34) years in practice. Topic modules covered osteoporosis diagnostics, treatment, monitoring, and challenging conditions, using a multidisciplinary approach with participant case studies. A total of 35 (64%) PCPs provided evaluation data, with 86% (n=30) joining to learn from experts or improve patient management and 83% (n=29) being satisfied with the content. Preferred learning methods included small group learning (n=13, 37%), live webinars (n=9, 26%), interactive learning (n=7, 20%), and on-demand videos (n=6, 17%), and 57% (n=20) found the platform easy to use. The most popular access times were evening (n= 23, 66%) and weekends (n=10, 29%). At completion, 89% (n=31) would recommend the training, and 78% (n=22 out of 28 respondents to the postprogram expectations meeting survey) were fully satisfied that their training needs were met, with 22% (n=6) partly satisfied. In addition, following the course completion, almost everyone reported being confident or very confident in managing osteoporosis.

The CFC program was created by bone specialists, PCPs, software engineers, and information technology specialists. This collaboration produced a user-friendly, case-based, interactive, time-flexible, and highly acceptable program bridging investigation and management gaps in osteoporosis. It is customized to address challenges faced by PCPs and is potentially relevant for implementation in a wide range of fields, both health-related and others.