Record-breaking 8,300 health care professionals participate in online H1N1 vaccination education program

A record-breaking 8,300 front-line health care professionals participated in an accredited, online education program about H1N1 vaccination in November 2009 alone.

The program was developed by mdBriefCase Inc., in collaboration with the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Society of Obstetrics & Gynecology of Canada. Half of the participants were physicians and the balance was made up of pharmacists and nurses.

"In terms of participation, this was the single biggest H1N1 educational program in Canada to health care professionals," said Greg Cook, President of mdBriefCase Inc. "We are very pleased with the reception to this program. Not only did many health care professionals participate, but they also rated the program as exceptionally useful. The majority of participants reported that they are much more confident discussing H1N1 vaccination issues with patients and stated that they were making significant changes to their practice as a result of participating in our program. It is exciting to see further validation of the impact online continuing education has on patient care."

Results from the participant test scores demonstrate significant knowledge gains. For example, knowledge about the rates of annual mortality risk attached to influenza without vaccination jumped by 142% (knowledge gain pre-test vs. post-test,>

Another important element of this initiative was the collaborative care aspect. "Pharmacists and nurses are playing a critical role in the H1N1 vaccination initiative and we are very pleased to support them with relevant educational programming." said Cynthia Hastings-James, President of rxBriefCase. "This education program is a terrific example of how we can impact a large, multidisciplinary audience quickly and effectively."

Source: MDBRIEFCASE

Source: RXBRIEFCASE

Source: PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCY OF CANADA