Impact of a virtual learning environment on the conscious prescription of antibiotics among Colombian dentists.

María Del Pilar Angarita-Díaz, Lilia Bernal-Cepeda, Leidy Bastidas-Legarda, Diana Forero-Escobar, Angélica Ricaurte-Avendaño, Julián Mora-Reina, Martha Vergara-Mercado, Alejandra Herrera-Herrera, Martha Rodriguez-Paz, Sandra Cáceres-Matta, Natalia Fortich-Mesa, Emilia María Ochoa-Acosta
Author Information
  1. María Del Pilar Angarita-Díaz: Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Villavicencio, Colombia. ORCID
  2. Lilia Bernal-Cepeda: Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia. ORCID
  3. Leidy Bastidas-Legarda: School of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom.
  4. Diana Forero-Escobar: Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Villavicencio, Colombia.
  5. Angélica Ricaurte-Avendaño: Sub-Direction of E-learning, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Medellín, Colombia.
  6. Julián Mora-Reina: Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Villavicencio, Colombia.
  7. Martha Vergara-Mercado: Facultad de Odontología, Universidad del Sinú, Montería, Colombia. ORCID
  8. Alejandra Herrera-Herrera: Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Metropolitana, Barranquilla, Colombia.
  9. Martha Rodriguez-Paz: Facultad de Odontología, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia.
  10. Sandra Cáceres-Matta: Facultad de Odontología, Universidad del Sinú, Cartagena, Colombia.
  11. Natalia Fortich-Mesa: Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Rafael Núñez, Cartagena, Colombia. ORCID
  12. Emilia María Ochoa-Acosta: Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Medellín, Colombia.

Abstract

Appropriate antibiotic prescription contributes to reducing bacterial resistance; therefore, it is critical to provide training regarding this challenge. The objective of this study was to develop a virtual learning environment for antibiotic prescription and to determine its impact on dentists' awareness, attitudes, and intention to practice. First, the learning content on multimedia resources was developed and distributed into three challenges that participants had to overcome. Then, a quasi-experimental study was performed in which the virtual learning environment was implemented on dentists from seven Colombian cities. The median of correct answers and the levels of awareness, attitudes, and intention to practice were compared before, immediately after, and 6-months post-intervention. Wilcoxon signed-rank and McNemar's tests were used to determine the differences. A total of 206 participants who finished the virtual learning environment activities exhibited a favorable and statistically significant impact on the median of correct answers of awareness (p < 0.001), attitudes (p < 0.001), and intention to practice (p = 0.042). A significant increase occurred in the number of participants with a high level of awareness (p < 0.001) and a non-significant increase in participants with high levels of attitudes (p = 0.230) and intention to practice (p = 0.286). At 6 months, the positive effect on the median of correct answers on awareness and intention to practice persisted (p < 0.001); however, this was not evident for attitudes (p = 0.105). Moreover, there was a significant decrease in the number of participants who showed low levels of awareness (p = 0.019) and a slight increase in those with high levels of the same component (p = 0.161). The use of a virtual learning environment designed for dentists contributed to a rapid improvement in awareness and intention to practice antibiotic prescription; however, their attitudes and information retention need reinforcement.

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MeSH Term

Anti-Bacterial Agents
Colombia
Dentists
Education, Distance
Female
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Intention
Male
Non-Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
Practice Patterns, Dentists'
Prescriptions
Surveys and Questionnaires

Chemicals

Anti-Bacterial Agents

Word Cloud

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