Evidence map›Paper›PMID 27435412›Full record

Trial reportBMC research notes2016

Examining uptake of online education on obstructive sleep apnoea in general practitioners: a randomised trial.

Christine Paul, Shiho Rose, Michael Hensley, Jeffrey Pretto, Margaret Hardy, Frans Henskens, Tara Clinton-McHarg, Mariko Carey

Open access · goldAbstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
In one paragraph

Trial report in BMC research notes, 2016. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
0.2field-weighted citation impact, top 39% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed, 9 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Trial
  2. Trial
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. Knowledge to action: a scoping review of approaches to educate primary care providers in the identification and management of routine sleep disorders.Journal of clinical sleep medicine : JCSM : official publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine · 2021
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors at 4 institutions in 1 country.

Christine PaulSchool of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia. chris.paul@newcastle.edu.au.
Shiho RoseSchool of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.
Michael HensleyDepartment of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, John Hunter Hospital, Lookout Road, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia.
Jeffrey PrettoSchool of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.
Margaret HardyWoolcock Institute of Medical Research, 431 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe, NSW, 2307, Australia.
Frans HenskensSchool of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
Tara Clinton-McHargSchool of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.
Mariko CareySchool of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.
Hunter Medical Research Institute · AUUniversity of Newcastle Australia · AUJohn Hunter Hospital · AUWoolcock Institute of Medical Research · AU

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundObstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) affects up to 28 % of the adult population in Western countries. The detection and management of OSA by general practitioners (GPs) can be poor. The study aimed to examine what influence enhanced invitations had on uptake of on-line learning modules for OSA by GPs, and whether recent referrals of patients to sleep specialists influenced uptake.

methodsPracticing GPs in regional Australia were identified and randomised to receive either an enhanced or standard invitation letter to a new on-line education module for OSA. The enhanced letter included indication that the module was eligible for professional accreditation and described the prevalence and burden of sleep disorders. Some included extra emphasis if the GP had recently referred a patient for diagnostic investigation of OSA. Two reminder letters were sent.

resultsOf 796 eligible GPs who received the letters, sixteen (2 %) accessed the website and four completed the modules over the four-month study period. GPs who received an enhanced invitation letter were not significantly more likely to access the website compared to GPs who received the standard invitation letter. Recent referral of a patient for diagnostic investigation was also not a significant factor in influencing use of the module.

conclusionGP interest in on-line education about OSA appears low, and emphasis of relevant recent past patient(s) and the opportunity for professional education points was not successful in increasing engagement. There is a need to identify effective approaches to improving the detection and management of OSA in general practice.

Indexed as

Education, DistanceEducation, Medical, ContinuingFamily PracticeGeneral PractitionersHumansInternetReferral and ConsultationSleep Apnea, ObstructiveAustraliaEducationGeneral practiceObstructiveProfessionalSleep apneaSleep disorders

Identifiers

PMID27435412
PMCPMC4950239
OpenAlexW2476368988

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.