Impact of malnutrition management e-learning module on GPs' knowledge: a pilot study

Aisling A Geraghty; Patricia Dominguez Castro; Ciara Me Reynolds; Sarah Browne; Frank Bourke; Catriona Bradley; Karen Finnigan; Sarah Clarke; Barbara Clyne; Gerard Bury; Carla Perrotta; Sharon Kennelly; Clare A Corish

doi:10.3399/BJGPO.2022.0111

Impact of malnutrition management e-learning module on GPs' knowledge: a pilot study

BJGP Open. 2023 Mar 21;7(1):BJGPO.2022.0111. doi: 10.3399/BJGPO.2022.0111. Print 2023 Mar.

Authors

Aisling A Geraghty^{1

2}, Patricia Dominguez Castro^{1

2}, Ciara Me Reynolds^{1

2}, Sarah Browne^{1

2}, Frank Bourke³, Catriona Bradley³, Karen Finnigan⁴, Sarah Clarke⁴, Barbara Clyne⁵, Gerard Bury⁶, Carla Perrotta^{1

2}, Sharon Kennelly⁷, Clare A Corish^{8

2}

Affiliations

¹ School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Republic of Ireland.
² UCD Institute of Food and Health, University College Dublin, Dublin, Republic of Ireland.
³ Irish Institute of Pharmacy, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Republic of Ireland.
⁴ Health Service Executive Medicines Management Programme, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Republic of Ireland.
⁵ Department of General Practice, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Republic of Ireland.
⁶ School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Republic of Ireland.
⁷ National Primary Care Division, Community Funded Schemes Service Improvement, County Laois, Republic of Ireland.
⁸ School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Republic of Ireland clare.corish@ucd.ie.

Abstract

Background: Malnutrition is underdiagnosed in primary care. GPs are key healthcare contacts for older adults at risk of protein-energy malnutrition; however, lack of knowledge and confidence in its diagnosis and treatment is often reported.

Aim: To evaluate the impact of a bespoke online education module on GP malnutrition knowledge and management.

Design & setting: A prospective pre-post pilot study with 23 GPs and eight GP trainees in the Republic of Ireland.

Method: The module included units on the following: 'malnutrition definition, prevalence, and latest evidence'; 'identifying malnutrition in clinical practice'; 'food-first advice'; 'reviewing malnutrition'; and 'oral nutritional supplements'. Participant knowledge was measured using a multiple choice questionnaire (MCQ) before and after the module (n = 31), and 6 weeks following completion (n = 11). Case studies assessing identification and management of malnutrition were evaluated by a clinical specialist dietitian with expertise in managing malnutrition. Changes in assessment performance were calculated using paired t-tests. Acceptability was evaluated using a questionnaire.

Results: Post-training, 97% of GPs increased MCQ scores from baseline (+25%, P<0.001), with the greatest improvement in 'identifying malnutrition in clinical practice' (mean increase 47%, P<0.001). Eleven GPs completed the 6-week MCQ with scores remaining significantly higher than baseline (mean increase 15%, P = 0.005); 'identifying malnutrition in clinical practice' remained the most highly scored (mean increase 40%, P<0.001). Seventeen GPs completed the case studies; 76% at baseline and 88% post-module correctly calculated malnutrition risk scores. Appropriate malnutrition management improved for 47% of GPs after module completion.

Conclusion: This e-learning module improved malnutrition knowledge, with good short-term retention in a small cohort. Development of online evidence-based nutrition education may improve GP nutrition care.

Keywords: education, medical, continuing; general practice; malnutrition; oral nutritional supplements; primary healthcare.