PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Geraghty, Aisling A AU - Dominguez Castro, Patricia AU - Reynolds, Ciara ME AU - Browne, Sarah AU - Bourke, Frank AU - Bradley, Catriona AU - Finnigan, Karen AU - Clarke, Sarah AU - Clyne, Barbara AU - Bury, Gerard AU - Perrotta, Carla AU - Kennelly, Sharon AU - Corish, Clare A TI - Impact of malnutrition management e-learning module on GPs’ knowledge: a pilot study AID - 10.3399/BJGPO.2022.0111 DP - 2023 Mar 01 TA - BJGP Open PG - BJGPO.2022.0111 VI - 7 IP - 1 4099 - http://bjgpopen.org/content/7/1/BJGPO.2022.0111.short 4100 - http://bjgpopen.org/content/7/1/BJGPO.2022.0111.full SO - BJGP Open2023 Mar 01; 7 AB - Background Malnutrition is underdiagnosed in primary care. GPs are key healthcare contacts for older adults at risk of protein-energy malnutrition; however, lack of knowledge and confidence in its diagnosis and treatment is often reported.Aim To evaluate the impact of a bespoke online education module on GP malnutrition knowledge and management.Design & setting A prospective pre—post pilot study with 23 GPs and eight GP trainees in the Republic of Ireland.Method The module included units on the following: ‘malnutrition definition, prevalence, and latest evidence’; ‘identifying malnutrition in clinical practice’; ‘food-first advice’; ‘reviewing malnutrition’; and ‘oral nutritional supplements’. Participant knowledge was measured using a multiple choice questionnaire (MCQ) before and after the module (n = 31), and 6 weeks following completion (n = 11). Case studies assessing identification and management of malnutrition were evaluated by a clinical specialist dietitian with expertise in managing malnutrition. Changes in assessment performance were calculated using paired t-tests. Acceptability was evaluated using a questionnaire.Results Post-training, 97% of GPs increased MCQ scores from baseline (+25%, P<0.001), with the greatest improvement in ‘identifying malnutrition in clinical practice’ (mean increase 47%, P<0.001). Eleven GPs completed the 6-week MCQ with scores remaining significantly higher than baseline (mean increase 15%, P = 0.005); ‘identifying malnutrition in clinical practice’ remained the most highly scored (mean increase 40%, P<0.001). Seventeen GPs completed the case studies; 76% at baseline and 88% post-module correctly calculated malnutrition risk scores. Appropriate malnutrition management improved for 47% of GPs after module completion.Conclusion This e-learning module improved malnutrition knowledge, with good short-term retention in a small cohort. Development of online evidence-based nutrition education may improve GP nutrition care.