Session P7B.1

Development and Evaluation of a Web-Based Training Technique for Preparation of Participants in an Outcomes Research Practicum

M Yavari*, G Wagner, L Bacharova

Duke Clinical Research Institute
Durham, NC, USA

The Scientific Summer School in Turkey (SSSiT) will be presented in July 2007 as an outcomes research practicum (ORP) consisting of a series of four workshops under the patronage of the Anatolian Journal of Cardiology, Croatian Medical Journal and the Journal of Electrocardiology. The aim of the ORP is to develop the research skills of the 30 participants based on a practical, problem-based approach. During the SSSiT the participants will be divided into 5 member teams to design comprehensive, potentially achievable outcomes research projects. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the effectiveness of computer-aided preparation during the month prior to the SSSiT using an on-line Research Methodology Guide. The SSSiT informative documents containing the ORP outline will be sent to the practicum participants with the expectation that each will complete design of a practice outcomes research study using the outlines of the four workshops included in the ORP. The Research Methodology Guide will randomly be provided to half of the participants. The six SSSiT faculty members will evaluate the completed designs of all participants during the week prior to the SSSiT while blinded to whether the participants are in the intervention or control groups. These faculty members will also assess the performances of all 30 participants during the SSSiT while remaining blinded to participants' group. The data from this study will be analyzed during July and the results will be prepared for submission to the Computers in Cardiology 2007 website by the designated time. The conclusions regarding the comparative preparations of the participants for the SSSiT and for their performances during the SSSiT will provide the basis for determination of the contribution of this computer assistance to developing the skills required for designing an outcomes research project.

(Abstract Control Number: 257)