Development and evaluation of a web-based breast cancer cultural competency course for primary healthcare providers
2011

Web-Based Course on Breast Cancer Cultural Competency for Healthcare Providers

Sample size: 103 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Richard C Palmer, Raquel Samson, Maria Triantis, Irene D Mullan

Primary Institution: Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work

Hypothesis

Can a web-based continuing medical education (CME) course improve healthcare provider knowledge about breast cancer health disparities and cross-cultural communication?

Conclusion

The web-based CME course effectively increased healthcare providers' knowledge about breast cancer disparities and cultural competency.

Supporting Evidence

  • 132 participants registered for the CME with 103 completing both assessments.
  • Knowledge increased from 70% to 94% after the course.
  • 95% of participants agreed the training was appropriate for teaching cultural competency.

Takeaway

This study created an online course to help doctors understand breast cancer better and how to talk to patients from different cultures. It worked well, and many doctors liked it.

Methodology

An interactive web-based CME course was developed and assessed using a single group pre-/post-test design to evaluate knowledge changes.

Potential Biases

The single group pre-/post-test design may increase the likelihood of the Hawthorne effect.

Limitations

The study did not assess the actual impact on healthcare provider practice behavior and used a convenience sample, limiting generalizability.

Participant Demographics

Participants were primarily female (89.9%), non-Hispanic white (58%), with a majority aged 35-55 years, and mostly registered nurses (32%).

Statistical Information

P-Value

p < .001

Statistical Significance

p < .001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1472-6920-11-59

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication