mdBriefCase to provide online education course on H1N1 virus in pregnant women

Nov 18 2009

mdBriefCase Inc., in collaboration with the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and the Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Canada (SOGC), is pleased to provide a new online education course on the H1N1 virus in pregnant women. This accredited course is available to all health professionals at no charge on the following web sites www.mdBriefCase.com (for physicians and nurse practitioners), www.rxBriefCase.com (pharmacists and pharmacy technicians) and www.AdvancingIn.com (all health professionals).

This case-based learning offers participants the opportunity to work through a series of interactive question and answer scenarios designed to test their knowledge and provide them with expert advice the vaccination and management of their pregnant patients at risk from, or diagnosed with, the H1N1 virus.

Following completion of 'H1N1 and Pregnancy: key considerations for vaccination and management', Canadian health professionals should be able to:

- Appreciate the risks posed by H1N1 infection to pregnant women and the fetus - Identify the position of pregnant women in the Canadian and Provincial H1N1 vaccine priority lists - Identify the benefits and risks of H1N1 vaccination in pregnancy - Understand the differences between adjuvanted and unadjuvanted H1N1 vaccines for pregnant women - Review clinical management considerations regarding the timing and mode of delivery of pregnant women requiring hospitalization for H1N1 influenza-like-illness (ILI) - Discuss the role of antiviral agents in pregnant women with H1N1 infection

"The need for timely information regarding the H1N1 virus has been evidenced by the overwhelming participant response of our most recent H1N1 vaccine program developed in collaboration with PHAC," states Theresa Reynolds, Vice President of mdBriefCase Inc. "In just 3 weeks, over 6,000 Canadian health professionals have completed this program. As an extension to their learning, this new program focuses on the unique risk profile and treatment requirements of pregnant women."

The Need for Online Education

In the past five years, health professionals have shifted towards using online sources of information. This shift has been significant and universal. According to the Canadian Medical Association, 95% of Canadian physicians now use the internet for professional reasons. 70% now access the internet at least daily and spend 8 - 12 hours per week online. Data from Manhattan Research (US) and MD Insight (Canadian) shows that 50% of all continuing medical education (CME) is now done online and 71% of physicians intend to further decrease their participation in live CME and Increase it in online CME. A study published in JAMA concluded that "Appropriately designed, evidence-based online CME can produce objectively measured changes in behavior as well as sustained gains in knowledge that are comparable or superior to those realized from effective live activities."

"An mdBriefCase online CME course costs less than 10% of the cost of traditional CME on a cost per participant basis. Plus, online CME has a significantly greater effect on behaviour than live CME," said Cynthia Hastings-James, president of rxBriefCase. "Given the reach, convenience and impact on practice, online CME is a fundamental component of optimizing patient care in Canada."

Source: RXBRIEFCASE