Enhancing Pediatric Acute Care Through Adaptive E-Learning and In-Person Skills Practice in Tanzania

This study is a cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) aimed at assessing the effectiveness of integrating In-Person Skills Practice (ISP) sessions facilitated by clinical champions into the existing Pediatric Acute Care Education (PACE) adaptive e-learning program. The study is designed to evaluate whether this blended learning approach can enhance the refresher learning progress (RLP), improve practical clinical skills, and increase metacognition (conscious competence) among healthcare providers responsible for pediatric care in Tanzania.

Study Design:

The trial will randomize four healthcare centers into two groups: an intervention group where providers use the Rhapsode Capable™ platform for ISP and a control group where providers receive paper-based ISP. Both groups will receive the same core content from the PACE adaptive learning modules.

The intervention group will utilize the Rhapsode Capable™ digital platform for ISP, which provides scheduling, skill tracking, and real-time feedback on performance. The control group will follow a similar protocol, but feedback and skill tracking will be done manually using paper forms. Clinical champions will facilitate all ISP sessions in both groups, providing structured guidance, peer support, and real-time feedback.

This trial will use a mixed-methods approach, including quantitative assessments (learning progress scores, ISP scores) and qualitative data collection (Focus Group Discussions and In-Depth Interviews) to gather insights into the barriers and facilitators of ISP integration into the PACE program.

Study Procedures:

1. Intervention Group: Healthcare providers will complete core PACE adaptive e-learning modules, focusing on pediatric care topics like newborn resuscitation, severe malnutrition, severe malaria, and respiratory conditions. Providers will participate in ISP sessions facilitated by clinical champions using the Rhapsode Capable™ platform. These sessions will provide an opportunity for providers to practice critical clinical skills with real-time feedback and scoring. The platform will track provider progress, enabling personalized feedback based on performance, scheduling of future sessions, and consistency of practice.
2. Control Group:

Providers will complete the same core PACE adaptive e-learning modules. ISP sessions will be conducted using paper-based assessments facilitated by clinical champions. Feedback will be provided verbally during sessions, and scores will be recorded manually.

Quality Assurance Procedures:

To ensure data integrity and consistent delivery of the intervention, several quality assurance measures will be implemented:

Data Validation: Data entered into the Rhapsode Capable™ platform for the intervention group will undergo automated validation checks for consistency, range, and completeness. For the control group, the PACE coordinator will perform weekly reviews of paper forms and cross-check them against participant logs.

Site Monitoring: Clinical champions and the study coordinator will conduct regular site visits to monitor compliance with ISP protocols, data collection, and participant engagement.

Source Data Verification (SDV): Random checks of paper-based ISP assessments will be compared with original session records to verify accuracy and completeness.

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): The study will adhere to detailed SOPs for each aspect of the trial, including participant recruitment, ISP facilitation, data management, and reporting of adverse events.

Data Management:

Data Collection: Data will be collected via the Rhapsode Capable™ platform (for the intervention group) and manual paper forms (for the control group). All data will be transferred to the secure REDCap database for analysis.

Data Checks: A dedicated PACE coordinator will regularly perform data checks to compare ISP scores, ensure participant progression, and resolve any discrepancies in the dataset.

Data Dictionary: A detailed data dictionary will be maintained, outlining each variable, its source, coding system, and any range limits. This will include information about ISP performance scores, learning progress metrics, demographic data, and survey results.

Sample Size:

The trial will enroll 90 healthcare providers (45 in the intervention group and 45 in the control group). After accounting for a potential dropout rate of up to 10%, it is expected that 80 providers will complete the full study protocol. This sample size is calculated based on anticipated differences in the primary outcome (RLP) and allows for detection of significant differences between the two groups with a power of 80% at a significance level of 0.05.

Plan for Missing Data:

A comprehensive plan for managing missing data will be implemented:

Imputation Methods: Missing data will be addressed using multiple imputation techniques if the missing data exceeds 5%. In cases where data is missing completely at random (MCAR), a complete case analysis will be conducted.

Handling Data Inconsistency: Any inconsistent or out-of-range data will be flagged during weekly data checks and verified by clinical champions or the PACE coordinator.

Statistical Analysis:

The primary analysis will focus on comparing the median refresher learning progress (RLP) between the intervention and control groups. Statistical significance will be determined using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test to account for the non-parametric distribution of data. A two-sided alpha of 0.05 will be used for hypothesis testing.

The secondary analyses will include:

Changes in metacognition (conscious competence) using generalized estimating equations (GEE) to account for repeated measures over time.

ISP scores between intervention and control groups using mixed-effects linear regression models, adjusting for baseline ISP scores.

Trends in common errors observed during ISP sessions. The trial will also conduct an exploratory analysis of the qualitative data collected through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and In-Depth Interviews (IDIs). This data will be analyzed using thematic analysis, focusing on participant feedback regarding the ease of ISP integration, the perceived value of clinical champions, and any barriers encountered during the study.

Registry Information:

Registry Procedures: To maintain data accuracy and ensure consistent participant monitoring, the PACE program will include:

On-site Audits: Routine on-site audits will be conducted to verify data accuracy and adherence to ISP protocols.

Data Entry Audits: Manual data entry (for the control group) will be reviewed weekly by the PACE coordinator, and discrepancies will be addressed immediately.

Monitoring Plan: Weekly educator dashboard summaries will be provided to clinical champions, highlighting provider progress and any outstanding ISP tasks.

Ethical Considerations:

This study has been approved by the Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) of the Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences (CUHAS), Stanford University, and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). Ethical concerns such as data confidentiality and informed consent have been thoroughly addressed, and all participants will be able to withdraw from the study at any point without penalty.

Conclusion:

The results of this study will provide critical insights into the effectiveness of integrating adaptive e-learning with in-person skills practice to improve pediatric care in low-resource settings. If successful, the findings could lead to the implementation of scalable, blended learning strategies to improve healthcare outcomes for children in sub-Saharan Africa.