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Randomized Trial of Two e–Learning Programs for Oral Health Students on Secondary Prevention of Eating Disorders
Author(s) -
DeBate Rita D.,
Severson Herbert H.,
Cragun Deborah,
Bleck Jennifer,
Gau Jeff,
Merrell Laura,
Cantwell Carley,
Christiansen Steve,
Koerber Anne,
Tomar Scott L.,
Brown Kelli McCormack,
Tedesco Lisa A.,
Hendricson William,
Taris Mark
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of dental education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.53
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1930-7837
pISSN - 0022-0337
DOI - 10.1002/j.0022-0337.2014.78.1.tb05651.x
Subject(s) - intervention (counseling) , randomized controlled trial , oral health , oral hygiene , self efficacy , psychology , medicine , behavior change , medical education , family medicine , nursing , dentistry , social psychology , surgery
The purpose of this study was to test whether an interactive, web–based training program is more effective than an existing, flat–text, e–learning program at improving oral health students’ knowledge, motivation, and self–efficacy to address signs of disordered eating behaviors with patients. Eighteen oral health classes of dental and dental hygiene students were randomized to either the Intervention (interactive program; n=259) or Alternative (existing program; n=58) conditions. Hierarchical linear modeling assessed for posttest differences between groups while controlling for baseline measures. Improvement among Intervention participants was superior to those who completed the Alternative program for three of the six outcomes: benefits/barriers, self–efficacy, and skills–based knowledge (effect sizes ranging from 0.43 to 0.87). This study thus suggests that interactive training programs may be better than flat–text e–learning programs for improving the skills–based knowledge and self–efficacy necessary for behavior change.