eLearning improves allied health professionals' knowledge and confidence to manage medically unexplained chronic fatigue states: A randomized controlled trial

Matthew D Jones; Sally M Casson; Benjamin K Barry; Sophie H Li; Trinidad Valenzuela; Joanne Cassar; Camillo Lamanna; Andrew R Lloyd; Carolina X Sandler

doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2023.111462

eLearning improves allied health professionals' knowledge and confidence to manage medically unexplained chronic fatigue states: A randomized controlled trial

J Psychosom Res. 2023 Oct:173:111462. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2023.111462. Epub 2023 Aug 16.

Authors

Matthew D Jones¹, Sally M Casson², Benjamin K Barry³, Sophie H Li⁴, Trinidad Valenzuela⁵, Joanne Cassar⁶, Camillo Lamanna⁷, Andrew R Lloyd⁷, Carolina X Sandler⁸

Affiliations

¹ The Kirby Institute, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; School of Health Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Centre for Pain IMPACT, Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, Australia.
² The Kirby Institute, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Australia.
³ School of Health Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Medical School, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
⁴ Black Dog Institute and School of Psychology, The University of New South Wales Australia, Sydney, Australia.
⁵ Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences Laboratory, School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile.
⁶ The Kirby Institute, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
⁷ The Kirby Institute, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
⁸ The Kirby Institute, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 37619433
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2023.111462

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of eLearning by allied health professionals on improving the knowledge and confidence to manage people with medically unexplained chronic fatigue states (FS).

Methods: Using a parallel randomized controlled trial design, participants were randomized 1:1 to a 4-week eLearning or wait-list control group. Knowledge and self-reported confidence in clinical skills to implement a therapeutic intervention for patients with FS were assessed at baseline, post-intervention and follow-up. Secondary outcomes (adherence and satisfaction with online education, knowledge retention) were also assessed. Data was analyzed using intention-to-treat.

Results: There were 239 participants were randomized (eLearning n = 119, control n = 120), of whom 101 (85%) eLearning and 107 (89%) control participants completed baseline assessments and were included in the analysis. Knowledge (out of 100) improved significantly more in the eLearning group compared to the control group [mean difference (95% CI) 8.6 (5.9 to 11.4), p < 0.001]. Knowledge was reduced in the eLearning group at follow-up but was still significantly higher than baseline [6.0 (3.7 to 8.3), p < 0.001]. Median change (out of 5) in confidence in clinical skills to implement the FS intervention was also significantly greater in the eLearning group compared to the control group [knowledge: eLearning (1.2), control (0); clinical skills: eLearning (1), control (0.1); both p < 0.001)]. Average time spent on the eLearning program was 8.8 h. Most participants (80%) rated the lesson difficulty as at the "right level", and 91% would recommend it to others.

Conclusions: eLearning increased knowledge and confidence to manage FS amongst allied health professionals and was well-accepted.

Registration: ACTRN12616000296437 https://anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=370222&isReview=true.

Keywords: Cancer-related fatigue; Chronic fatigue syndrome; Cognitive behavioural therapy; Graded exercise therapy; Post-infective fatigue; eLearning.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Allied Health Personnel
Computer-Assisted Instruction*
Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic* / therapy
Humans
Personal Satisfaction
Self Report

Associated data

ANZCTR/ACTRN12616000296437