How effective is project ECHO-based epilepsy curriculum in post-graduate medical education: A randomized-controlled educational trial
Abstract number :
1.109
Submission category :
13. Health Services (Delivery of Care, Access to Care, Health Care Models)
Year :
2025
Submission ID :
949
Source :
www.aesnet.org
Presentation date :
12/6/2025 12:00:00 AM
Published date :
Authors :
Presenting Author: Mohammed Alqahtani, MBBS, MSc, FRCPC – Boston Children’s Hospital
Annie Jiwan, MMI, HBSc – The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)
Lauren Srasser, MD – The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)
Savithri Ratnapalan, MD – The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)
Elizabeth Donner, MD, FRCPC – Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Division of Neurology, Hospital for Sick Children
Rationale: Epilepsy is a complex neurological disorder requiring specialized knowledge for effective management and poorly controlled epilepsy remains a significant burden to people with epilepsy and society. Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) is a tele-mentoring model designed to extend specialized care through virtual teaching. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an inter-institutional Project ECHO-based epilepsy curriculum on the knowledge (Kirkpatrick level 2) and self-assessed impact on practice (Kirkpatrick levels 3) of neurology trainees in Canada.
Methods: This randomized controlled trial included neurology trainees across Canada enrolled in Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons (RCPSC)-accredited programs during the 2024/2025 academic year. Participants were recruited through program directors and resident site leads. Consenting participants were randomized using computer generated random numbers into two groups. The intervention consisted of ten 1-hour weekly sessions via Zoom, including didactic presentations and case-based discussions. The curriculum was built based on Thomas and Kern’s Methodology of curriculum development. The primary outcome was improvement in objective knowledge, measured by a 30 multiple-choice question quiz. Secondary outcomes included self-perceived confidence and impact on clinical practice, assessed through pre-course and post-course surveys.
Results: A total of 19 participants were included in the study, with 11 in the control group and 8 in the intervention group. The intervention group showed a significant improvement in quiz scores (mean score 83.3%, SD=8) compared to the control group (mean score 64.5%, SD=14.3), with a mean difference of 18.8 percentage points (p=0.004, 95% CI 6.9 – 30.6) correlating to an improvement of 1.3 standard deviations compared to control group. Post-course surveys indicated high satisfaction with the program, with 88.9% agreeing or strongly agreeing that participating was worthwhile. Significant improvements were noted in self-perceived knowledge and confidence in assessing candidacy for non-medication treatments.
Conclusions: The study demonstrates the efficacy of the inter-institutional Project ECHO-based epilepsy curriculum in enhancing knowledge and self-assessed impact on practice among neurology trainees. The positive outcomes provide valuable insights into the effectiveness and feasibility of inter-institutional interactive virtual learning platforms in postgraduate medical education. Future research should explore expanding this program to other healthcare providers who manage epilepsy.
Funding: We received no funding to conduct this study.
Health Services (Delivery of Care, Access to Care, Health Care Models)