Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39651700›Full record

ArticleJMIR medical education2024

Evaluating the Effectiveness of an Online Course on Pediatric Malnutrition for Syrian Health Professionals: Qualitative Delphi Study.

Amal Sahyouni, Imad Zoukar, Mayssoon Dashash

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in JMIR medical education, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
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

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. 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

3 authors.

Amal Sahyouni *Medical Education Program, Syrian Virtual University, Al-Gomhoria Street, Lattakia, Syrian Arab Republic, 963 949391102.ORCID 0000-0002-6281-8110
Imad Zoukar *Medical Education Program, Syrian Virtual University, Al-Gomhoria Street, Lattakia, Syrian Arab Republic, 963 949391102.ORCID 0000-0002-4698-8144
Mayssoon Dashash *Medical Education Program, Syrian Virtual University, Al-Gomhoria Street, Lattakia, Syrian Arab Republic, 963 949391102.ORCID 0000-0002-9877-3217

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: There is a shortage of competent health professionals in managing malnutrition. Online education may be a practical and flexible approach to address this gap. Objective: This study aimed to identify essential competencies and assess the effectiveness of an online course on pediatric malnutrition in improving the knowledge of pediatricians and health professionals. Methods: A focus group (n=5) and Delphi technique (n=21 health professionals) were used to identify 68 essential competencies. An online course consisting of 4 educational modules in Microsoft PowerPoint (Microsoft Corp) slide form with visual aids (photos and videos) was designed and published on the Syrian Virtual University platform website using an asynchronous e-learning system. The course covered definition, classification, epidemiology, anthropometrics, treatment, and consequences. Participants (n=10) completed a pretest of 40 multiple-choice questions, accessed the course, completed a posttest after a specified period, and filled out a questionnaire to measure their attitude and assess their satisfaction. Results: A total of 68 essential competencies were identified, categorized into 3 domains: knowledge (24 competencies), skills (29 competencies), and attitudes (15 competencies). These competencies were further classified based on their focus area: etiology (10 competencies), assessment and diagnosis (21 competencies), and management (37 competencies). Further, 10 volunteers, consisting of 5 pediatricians and 5 health professionals, participated in this study over a 2-week period. A statistically significant increase in knowledge was observed among participants following completion of the online course (pretest mean 24.2, SD 6.1, and posttest mean 35.2, SD 3.3; P<.001). Pediatricians demonstrated higher pre- and posttest scores compared to other health care professionals (all P values were <.05). Prior malnutrition training within the past year positively impacted pretest scores (P=.03). Participants highly rated the course (mean satisfaction score >3.0 on a 5-point Likert scale), with 60% (6/10) favoring a blended learning approach. Conclusions: In total, 68 essential competencies are required for pediatricians to manage children who are malnourished. The online course effectively improved knowledge acquisition among health care professionals, with high participant satisfaction and approval of the e-learning environment.

Indexed as

Delphi TechniqueEducation, DistanceFocus GroupsHealth PersonnelAdultChildChild Nutrition DisordersClinical CompetenceFemaleHumansMaleMalnutritionQualitative ResearchSyriaacquisition knowledgeeffectivenesse-learningessential competencieshealth professionalmalnutritiononline coursepediatricpilot studySyria

Identifiers

PMID39651700
PMCPMC11615703

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Registered trials

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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.