Enhancing the Treatment of MDD Through an Interprofessional Educational Activity

Introduction: The goal of this interprofessional continuing education (IPCE) activity was to enhance the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) using patient cases.

Methods: The activity consisted of an online video discussion between leading experts in MDD. A repeated pairs pre-assessment/post-assessment study design was used. Participants completed a 4-question assessment before and after the activity to identify changes in competence and confidence. Survey data were collected from October 27, 2017-December 5, 2017. Cramer’s V was used to estimate the magnitude of change in the total number of correct responses between the compared test scores.

Results: Psychiatrists (n=316), primary care physicians (PCPs) (n=154), nurses (n=971), and physician assistants (PAs) (n=82) improved in several specific topic areas including (data expressed as % correct pre-assessment vs % correct post-assessment; all P<.001):

•    Use of quality measures (13% vs 35% of psychiatrists; 21% vs 39% of PCPs; 18% vs 29% of nurses; 17% vs 46% of PAs)

•    Interpreting data from measurement-based scales (25% vs 52% of psychiatrists; 8% vs 26% of PCPs; 4% vs 11% of nurses; 11% vs 44% of PAs)

•    Selection of treatments (60% vs 75% of PCPs; 30% vs 39% of nurses; 71% vs 84% of PAs)

•    Learners were more confident in selecting treatment for MDD post-education: Psychiatrists 27%; PCPs 39%; Nurses 29%; PAs 41%.

Overall, the educational effect size was noticeable (average V=0.12).

Conclusion: This study demonstrates that a well-designed online IPCE initiative can result in statistically significant improvements in clinical competence seen across healthcare professionals.