Abstracts

Rationale: Many clinicians lack knowledge and competence around the selection of newer therapeutic options for the management of partial-onset seizures. An online educational intervention was developed with the goal of improving neurologists’ knowledge and competence of newer anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) for the treatment of partial onset-seizures.Methods: The effectiveness of an online educational intervention for neurologists in the form of a 30-minute video lecture with slides was analyzed. The education focused on identification of AEDs with novel mechanisms of action (MOA), unique dosing schedules, and the application of this information to guide treatment decisions. The educational impact was assessed by comparing the same group of participants’ responses to 4 identical pre- and post-assessment questions. A paired 2-tailed t-test was used to assess whether the mean post-assessment score was different from the mean pre-assessment score. McNemar’s χ2 statistic was used to measure changes in responses to individual questions. Probability values (P values) were also calculated for both t-test and χ2 statistics to determine significance level (α). Cohen’s d was used to calculate the effect size of the intervention.Results: For neurologists who participated in the CME activity, comparison of individually linked pre-assessment question responses to their respective post-assessment questions demonstrates statistically significant improvements (n = 259; P <.05; effect size, d = 0.741). Correct responses on post-assessment questions were up to 125% higher after CME completion versus pre-assessment responses. Statistically significant improvement was demonstrated in understanding the MOA of newer AEDs and their dosing schedule.Conclusions: The use of a targeted video lecture platform as a means of educating neurologists on newer anti-epileptic drugs was effective in improving knowledge and competence, resulting in clinicians who are better informed when making clinical treatment decisions. Despite the improvements in knowledge and competence, the need for further education was seen in understanding dosing regimens of AEDs and putting the principles of MOA into clinical practice when selecting AEDs for patients.