Differentiating GBS and CIDP in the Hospital Setting: Knowledge and Behavior Changes from Continuing Education (4800)

Objective: To assess through quantitative and qualitative methods the influence of online continuing medical education (CME) in addressing clinician gaps on recognition and management of acute and chronic inflammatory disease. Background: Clinicians are challenged to differentiate Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) in the hospital setting since both can have similar acute presentations. Clinicians must also monitor recovery from acute onset to treat GBS and CIDP appropriately. Design/Methods: A 1hr CME activity launched live-online in 2018, to remain on-demand through 2020. CME questions were administered pre-, immediate post-, and 8wk post-activity. Responses from CME, polling/live, and 8wk post-activity survey were analyzed to determine engagement, lessons learned, and continuing gaps. McNemar test compared matched pair responses (pre/post & pre/8wk) with Cohen’s d for effect size. Results: As of September 2019, 60 of 501 learners completed questions from all 3 time points: 65% reported a positive impact on patient experience, and 80% reported a positive impact on clinical practice, with 86 qualitative write-in examples provided (eg, improved recognition of atypical symptoms, more confidence distinguishing neuropathies, patient satisfaction on pain relief, etc.). A majority of learners reported commitments to change regarding medical/practice knowledge (93%), practice behavior (85%), and patient clinical outcomes (88%). Of 4 CME test questions, responses from 3 reflected statistically significant improvements on testing acute disease, treatment choice, and referral pathway. Questions posed by learners indicate interest on patient characteristics, testing, first line treatment, and treatment in consideration of other comorbidities. Conclusions: Quantitative testing and surveying supported the positive impact of CME focused on improving awareness of GBS and CIDP in the hospital setting. Ongoing education is advised on: differential diagnosis; circumstances for repeat testing; comparative assessment of safety, efficacy and tolerability of treatment options; first-line treatment options; and managing treatment outcomes. Disclosure: Dr. Roc has nothing to disclose. Dr. Turell has nothing to disclose. Dr. Butler has received research support from CSL Behring. Dr. Donofrio has nothing to disclose.