Educational Session at the “Trends in Medical Mycology” (TIMM) 2021 Congress Teaching Medical Mycology to Students of Medicine

Medical Mycology is part of Medical Microbiology [...]

957. Evaluation of Chagas Disease Knowledge Among Providers Caring for At-risk People with HIV

Background Chagas disease (CD) is underdiagnosed in the United States due to limited healthcare provider awareness of the disease. Improving provider CD knowledge is important because >200,000 people living in the US are estimated to have CD, and 20-30% of those will develop related cardiac or gastrointestinal disease. People with HIV (PWH) and CD additionally are at risk for CD reactivation, which carries a >70% mortality rate. Methods The overall objective of this quality improvement project was to improve provider knowledge of CD prior to implementation of a CD screening initiative at a large HIV clinic in Houston, TX where >5,000 PWH are seen annually (~60% Latinx). We administered the survey to providers at this clinic before and after a 1-hour CD educational session, which included information about CD epidemiology, risk factors, transmission, screening, diagnostic strategies, and available treatments. Results Of 33 providers who took the pre-survey (16 faculty, 14 fellows, and 3 medical students), 27 (81.8%) completed all questions. Of 21 providers who took the post-survey (12 faculty, 6 fellows, and 3 medical students), 19 (90.5%) completed all questions. We identified the following CD knowledge gaps (i.e., questions initially answered incorrectly by >25% in the pre-educational session survey): CD transmission, regions of CD endemicity, CD risk factors, organ systems impacted by CD in PWH, and CD testing/follow-up procedures. In the post-educational session survey, we observed significant improvement in providers’ knowledge of CD epidemiology (correct selection of estimated number of people living with CD in the US improved from 26.7% to 90.5%, Fisher’s exact p< 0.0001), transmission (correct selection of “mother-to-child” answer improved from 73.3% to 100%, p=0.0150), and selection of correct CD testing answers improved from 51.9% to 85%, p=0.0286. Conclusion Improved CD awareness among healthcare providers and reliable systematic screening protocols are important in at-risk populations. Through simple administration of a 1-hour educational session, we identified and improved several CD knowledge gaps. We noted significant improvement in providers’ confidence in their CD knowledge, specifically in epidemiology, transmission, and diagnostic and screening testing. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Pharmacist management of atrial fibrillation: a pilot educational intervention study

Introduction AF increases the risk of stroke by a factor of five [1], oral anticoagulants (OACs) can reduce stroke by ∼60% and death by ∼25% [2]. Pharmacists, especially those based in primary care are well placed to support patients in this therapeutic area. However, research indicates that pharmacists do not always feel confident in supporting patients on OACs, which are the mainstay of AF management [3]. Purpose The aim of this pilot study is to assess pharmacists' knowledge prior to an educational session on AF and its management. Training was provided on AF, its management and the use of an associated app, AF Manager (Figure) with the intention to re-assess pharmacists' knowledge and use of the app 3, 6 and 12-months post-training. Here, we report the assessment of pharmacist baseline knowledge. Methods Various social media platforms were used to invite UK-based, practicing primary care pharmacists to an educational session. Training was developed in collaboration with consultant pharmacists from an Academic Health Science Network, AF Programme. Participant knowledge was assessed immediately before the educational session by use of the Jessa Atrial Fibrillation Knowledge Questionnaire (JAKQ), adapted for use with pharmacists. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS version 27. Results Twenty UK-based practicing pharmacists attended the educational session. Four pharmacists were excluded from analysis as they were not based in primary care. The mean practice experience of participants was 14.6±10.5 years; 62.5% were female and 50% had undertaken postgraduate qualifications. For this group of pharmacists, out of a maximum of 19 points, the mean score for the adapted JAKQ was 13.7±2.5. General knowledge about OACs (i.e. that which might be used to counsel patients taking OACs, such as time of day to take the medicines, side effects, drug interactions/contraindications) was high with knowledge about the different types of OACs similar (vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) 66.7±25.3% versus non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) 66.7±41.6%). However, several important knowledge gaps about AF and its management were identified. Only half of the participants knew that patients taking OACs for AF would continue to experience AF and only five participants (31.3%) knew that AF symptoms could be self-managed. Knowledge of INR monitoring frequency for VKAs and the use of NOAC patient alert cards was also lacking, with nine (56.2%) and thirteen (81.2%) of participants unable to answer these questions, respectively. Conclusions Primary care pharmacists are knowledgeable about the medicines used in AF management. However, there are specific knowledge gaps around AF management that need to be addressed via educational interventions to enable pharmacists to support patients effectively. Our follow-up research will investigate knowledge retention post-training and assess app usability for pharmacists in the management of patients with AF. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None. Figure 1. Screenshots of the AF Manager app

Assessing knowledge, practices, use and raising awareness of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance among dental patients before and after educational sessions

Objectives: Education and awareness-raising are global health policy tools to modify public behavior towards antibiotic resistance. Considering the high frequency of antibiotic use and self-medication in Egypt, together with the lack of an awareness agenda, our objectives were to assess the knowledge and practices related to antibiotic use and resistance among patients attending dental clinics, and to evaluate the changes in knowledge following a specially designed one to one educational session. Methodology: A convenience sample of 310 dental patients participated in this study. A modified questionnaire was used to assess knowledge and practices related to antibiotic use and resistance. Second-year dental students were trained to administer the questionnaire and to use the educational materials they designed to raise awareness. Following the education session, patients completed another similar questionnaire to assess the changes in their knowledge. Results: Increasing awareness of antibiotic resistance can be an effective way to address the antibiotic resistance crisis. More than half of the participants (55.6%) did not know whether antibiotics treat diseases caused by bacterial or viral infections. The majority of participants (85.5%) had taken antibiotics during the last year, and (50.5%) of them had taken the same antibiotic more than once. Higher educational levels of the participants were significantly associated with a higher level of knowledge. Statistically significant increases in the percentages of correct answers to all questions were observed after the educational session. Conclusion: The one to one educational session is an effective approach to address the antibiotic resistance crisis. Keywords Antibiotic use, antibiotic resistance, knowledge, practices, dental patients, awareness and education, SDGs.

950 A Close Loop Audit to Assess Awareness Among Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors Re Use of Personal Protective Equipment

Introduction Personal protective equipments (PPEs) are like war uniforms in the fight against Corona Pandemic. The limited supply of PPEs warrant their proper use not only to avoid shortage of supplies but also to prevent any infectious spread to healthcare workers. This study aimed at analyzing awareness among non-consultant hospital doctors re proper use of PPEs Method A questionnaire was devised using local available guidelines published by university Hospital Limerick. The study was done in 2 phases. In 1st phase 100 questionnaires were distributed to non-consultant hospital doctors(NCHDs). Results were analysed and after 1st phase and emails were sent with results and local guidelines and a zoom educational session was organized. In 2nd phase, questionnaire was redistributed in a week's time and results were re analysed to close the loop. Results 200 NCHDs participated in the study,100 in each phase. Most common age group in two phases was 21-30 yrs. Awareness about PPEs use for Covid 19 increased significantly in 2nd phase across all domains (what is included in PPEs (100% from 91%), Sequence for putting on PPEs (52% to 88% p < 0.05), steps for FIT test (57% to 74% p = 0.247) and sequence for removing PPEs (47% to 81% p < 0.05). Conclusions Though PPEs donning and doffing sessions were organized by the hospital officially, Awareness about effective use of PPEs among NCHDs further improved after organizing a Zoom educational session and auditing.

Experience of Educational Sessions and CarFit: Impact on Driving Cessation

Date Presented Accepted for AOTA INSPIRE 2021 but unable to be presented due to online event limitations. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the experience of older adults participating in an educational session and CarFit event and to determine its impact on preparing older adults for driving cessation. A lack of preparedness for driving cessation and the benefits of learning about resources and driving warning signs through the educational session and CarFit event was identified. Findings show that OT practitioners can provide support for driving safety and cessation. Primary Author and Speaker: Megan Edwards Collins

Examining Education’s Effect on Students’ Political Astuteness

Date Presented Accepted for AOTA INSPIRE 2021 but unable to be presented due to online event limitations. In this pretest–posttest pilot study, OT students’ knowledge of and involvement in political processes was assessed using the Political Astuteness Inventory (PAI) before and after an educational session on health policy. The results of the study support using education to improve political astuteness and that the PAI can be used as an outcome measure for programs designed to improve this skill. Primary Author and Speaker: Luis Arabit Additional Authors and Speakers: Gina Frassetto, Brandon Fukuda, and Candice Garrett Contributing Authors: Matthew Horwinski, Jenna Roxanne