Abstract Details

Title Knowledge, skills, and confidence of healthcare professionals participating in the ECHO MS program

Topic Multiple Sclerosis

Presentation(s) P12 - Poster Session 12 (5:30 PM-6:30 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 12-006

Background ECHO MS is a videoconference-based education and case-consultation program that seeks to expand MS expertise.

Objective To understand the knowledge, skills, and confidence in MS care for (1) participants who enroll in the ECHO MS program; (2) for prescribing vs. non-prescribing providers in the ECHO MS program; and (3) pre- vs. post-ECHO MS participation.

Design/Methods Participants completed a pre- and post-participation self-report survey assessing their knowledge, skills, and confidence in 19 areas spanning diagnosis, imaging, DMTs, relapses, symptom management, and patient resources. Descriptive analyses were conducted to understand the overall characteristics of the program participants. T-tests were conducted to examine between-group differences. Additional t-test analyses were conducted to examine changes in pre- to post-participation ratings.

Results N=81 healthcare professionals (52 prescribers (MD, ARNP, PA) and 29 non-prescribers (RN, PT, OT, SLP, pharmacist, psychologist)) completed ECHO MS enrollment surveys. Between-group analyses revealed statistically significant group differences across 14/19 areas in each of three domains (knowledge, skill, confidence), such that prescribing providers rated themselves higher than non-prescribers on diagnosis, imaging, DMTs, and relapses (M=6.9-7.8 vs. M=2.6-4.9); marginally higher in symptom management (M=7.1-7.7 vs. M=4.7-5.8); and similar in understanding and using community resources (M=6.0-6.8 vs. M=5.9-6.5). N=23 individuals completed post-participation surveys that could be linked to their pre-participation surveys. Participants reported a statistically significant (p < 0.05) increase of 1.15, 1.10, and 1.20 points across knowledge, skill, and confidence items, respectively.

Conclusions Results showed stark differences in knowledge, skill, and confidence between prescribing and non-prescribing providers. This suggests it is important to consider how to structure the program to meet the needs of a diverse set of participants and/or to consider if separate ECHO MS programs should be run to more specifically target subsets of MS providers. With that said, on average participants reported a statistically significant improvement in their knowledge, confidence, and skills independent of specialty.

Authors/Disclosures
PRESENTER	No disclosure on file
Darren Ball (National MS Society)	Mr. Ball has nothing to disclose.
Annette Wundes, MD, FAAN (University of Washington)	The institution of Dr. Wundes has received research support from Benaroya Research Institute .
Salim Chahin, MD (Washington University School of Medicine, Neurology Dept.)	Dr. Chahin has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Biogen. Dr. Chahin has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for GLG. Dr. Chahin has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for EMD Serono. Dr. Chahin has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Novartis. Dr. Chahin has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Sanofi Genzyme. Dr. Chahin has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for BMS. Dr. Chahin has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Horizon. Dr. Chahin has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Jansen. The institution of Dr. Chahin has received research support from National MS Society. The institution of Dr. Chahin has received research support from BMS.
Mark B. Skeen, MD, FAAN	Dr. Skeen has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of VeraSci. Dr. Skeen has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for Biogen. Dr. Skeen has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for Alexion. Dr. Skeen has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for Bristol Myers Squibb. Dr. Skeen has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for EMD/Serono. Dr. Skeen has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Biogen. Dr. Skeen has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Biogen. Dr. Skeen has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Alexion. Dr. Skeen has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Bristol Myers Squib. Dr. Skeen has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for EMD/ Serono. The institution of Dr. Skeen has received research support from National MS Society. Dr. Skeen has received personal compensation in the range of $50,000-$99,999 for serving as a Retiree with US Navy.
Gloria Von Geldern, MD, FAAN (University of Washington)	The institution of Dr. Von Geldern has received research support from Novartis. The institution of Dr. Von Geldern has received research support from National MS Society. Dr. Von Geldern has received personal compensation in the range of $0-$499 for serving as a DSMB member with NIH, NINDS. Dr. Von Geldern has a non-compensated relationship as a editorial board member with MS and Related Disorders Journal that is relevant to AAN interests or activities.