Pediatric emergency medicine curriculum in Armenia: evaluating knowledge retention

: 1.005_NEP Pediatric emergency medicine curriculum in Armenia: evaluating knowledge retention C. Alexanian, L. Cai, H. Cockrell, A. Baghdassarian; Georgetown University, Washington, District Of Columbia, United States, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States Background: In October 2014, a multidisciplinary team of instructors including emergency physicians, pediatric surgeons, emergency nurses and paramedics from the United States travelled to Yerevan, Armenia to teach a 4-day course on pediatric emergency care (PEC). Upon completion of the course, participants received continuing medical educations credits. 52 physicians participated in the course: twenty-four physicians working in the pre-hospital environment, sixteen general pediatricians and twelve pediatric critical care specialists. The mean test scores improved significantly, with mean pre-course score of 50.3% 0.11 SD and mean postcourse score of 77.3% 0.13 SD (p <0.0001). 98% of the participants reported that as a result of this course, they would introduce a change in their practice. This study aimed to evaluate knowledge retention at the nine-month follow up, among physicians who participated in the course. Methods: In July 2015, the participants were invited to anonymously complete the same 45-questionpost-test taken at the completion of the course. The tests were collected in sealed envelopes. Descriptive analysis was performed on the data. This study qualified for exemption by the IRB at Virginia Commonwealth University. Findings: Of the 52 physicians, 36 completed the knowledge retention test, a response rate of 69%. The mean score was 68.4% 0.11 SD. This represents an 8.9% decline in mean test scores between October 2014 and July 2015; nevertheless, the retention mean test score was 18.1% higher than the mean pre-course test score. Interpretation: We sought to assess the long-term knowledge retention of physicians in Yerevan, Armenia who received PEC education. A comparison of scores from the pre-CME training, post-CME training and knowledge retention tests confirms that, although participants’ knowledge of PEC declined between October 2014 and July 2015, PEC knowledge 9-months following CME training remained higher than baseline. Future courses should be designed to take this knowledge decay into account and to structure review sessions at adequately spaced intervals such that to ensure preferential knowledge retention. Further research is needed to determine whether healthcare providers’ education in Yerevan, Armenia improves patient outcomes and practice behaviors. Funding: Virginia Commonwealth University Children’s Hospital Foundation. Abstract #: 1.006_NEP: 1.006_NEP From well-meaning to well being: bridging the gap in mental health awareness in Tanzania Z. Alidina, M. Pattinson, F. Yusuf; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, MHFA England, The Federation of KSIJ of Africa Program/Project Purpose: In April 2013, a building collapsed on a children’s playground in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania killing 36 people and trapping over 60, some of whom were children playing in the playground. This tragic event highlighted a lack of capacity in the community and the country at large, to know how best to support those living with mental and emotional distress. A pilot project was created as a way to address this gap and build capacity within already existing community structures to create awareness about mental health, its impact upon all aspects of life, and a support network for the community. Structure/Method/Design: The pilot project took place in the community most affected by the building collapse in Dar es Salaam. 18 socially active volunteers from within the community were vetted and trained using the Mental Health First Aid England curriculum. The volunteers formed a group for mental wellbeing within the community to increase awareness and reduce the stigma attached to mental health disorders and to increase access to professional services, such as therapists and psychiatrists. Given that mental health services are scarce in Tanzania, the group also aimed to increase awareness of positive self-help strategies to aid quicker recovery and to provide support to those suffering from mental health disorders.