Australian maternity health professionals' experience of an e-learning fetal surveillance package

Abstract

Background. The provision of e-learning packages for health professionals is gaining acceptance. Introduction of a computer-assisted fetal surveillance package (K2MS) was new to Western Australian public maternity health care and its user-acceptability and efficacy required evaluation. Aim. To determine knowledge improvement and retention, as well as user experience with K2MS.Method. A cross-sectional design was undertaken to collect user experience feedback from a convenience sample of clinicians. A pre/post-test design was also employed with a sample subset to evaluate knowledge improvement and retention at <1 month, six to eight months and nine to 11 months. Descriptive statistics were used for demographic and user experience data. Wilcoxon-related tests determined whether median test scores changed significantly from pre-test across three follow-up periods. The Women and Newborn Health Service granted ethical approval.Results. A total of 82 clinicians consented and provided demographic data, with 56 offering user experience feedback. The number that consented to the pre/post-test knowledge evaluation was 47, with 42 completing the pre-test and providing data across three follow-up periods. Comparison of follow-up scores with pre-test scores confirmed that knowledge was significantly improved and retained for a period of nine to 11 months. Compared to pre-test baseline scores (54.0), median scores increased to 64.5 at <1 month and were retained at 61.5 at six to eight months and nine to 11 months (p<0.05). User experience results indicated clinicians enjoyed using K2MS, felt topics were relevant, met their learning needs and was more convenient than face-to-face workshops. Challenges to completion were attributed to work/life commitments and information technology issues. Implications. K2MS provided an effective, relevant and sustained means to educate clinicians. However, strategies are needed to ensure that those in rural and remote areas can successfully access K2MS with protected time to complete the package.