Increasing awareness of effective laboratory test utilization via case-based microlearning

Area of Science:

• Medical Laboratory Science
• Diagnostic Testing
• Evidence-Based Practice

Background:

• Effective laboratory test utilization is crucial for accurate diagnosis and patient management.
• Gaps in knowledge regarding evidence-based testing practices can lead to suboptimal patient care and increased healthcare costs.
• Diseases like pancreatitis, cardiac injury, inflammation, Lynch syndrome, and respiratory viruses require precise diagnostic approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a case-based microlearning course in enhancing knowledge of evidence-based laboratory testing practices.
• To assess improvements in understanding appropriate test utilization for various conditions.
• To measure the impact of the course on diagnostic knowledge among healthcare professionals.

Main Methods:

• A case-based microlearning course was developed, focusing on effective test utilization scenarios.
• Learners encountered scenarios addressing unnecessary, underutilized, and overconsumed tests.
• Knowledge acquisition was measured using pretest and posttest assessments.

Main Results:

• Over 8725 learners, primarily medical laboratory scientists, completed the course.
• Mean test scores significantly increased from 31.7 to 92.8 (P < .01).
• Correct answers on posttests increased by 35.5% to 75.8% for all assessment items.

Conclusions:

• The microlearning course effectively enhanced learners' knowledge of evidence-based testing practices.
• The training demonstrated significant improvements in understanding appropriate laboratory test utilization for diverse diseases.
• This educational intervention shows promise for improving diagnostic accuracy and healthcare efficiency.