General practitioners’ knowledge gaps regarding age related macular degeneration and effectiveness of their e-learning training

Abstract

Objective: To assess the General Practitioners (GPs) knowledge regarding Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) in order to better design a specific training program, then to evaluate the achievement of their clinical competences in the care of ARMD after taking a specific training program.

Methods: The first part of the study was a postal questionnaire survey sent to all GPs in Castilla & León. An interactive e-learning program with virtual tutorials was specifically designed for them to cover the identified gaps.

Results: 725 GPs out of 2365 answered the survey, and 44% of them recognized they did not know the best screening test (Amsler grid). Around 30% did not know about the bilateralism, prevalence, risk factors, prevention or treatment of ARMD. Younger physicians knew more about ARMD. A specifically designed course was offered to 205 GPs and 164 completed it. We found a higher number of female and younger doctors doing the course compared with the group answering the previous survey. The answer “I do not know” almost disappeared after the course. The probability of suspecting a typical case of ARMD was higher after the course.

Conclusions: The specific interactive online training program focused on covering the identified GPs´ gaps led to an effective learning.