Marlies de Graaf*, Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands Mirjam Knol, Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, Centre for Infectious Disease Control National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, Netherlands Joan Totte, Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands Harmieke Os-Medendorp*, Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands Corstiaan Breugem, Department of Plastic Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands Suzanne Pasmans, Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands Track: Research Presentation Topic: Digital Learning Presentation Type: Rapid-Fire Presentation Submission Type: Single Presentation Building: Mermaid Room: Room 3 - Upper River Room Date: 2013-09-23 04:00 PM – 06:00 PM Last modified: 2013-09-25

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Background: Infantile hemangiomas (IH) are common benign vascular tumors. They develop shortly after birth, and have an unique growth pattern. IH at risk for complications need to be early recognized and closely observed during the first 8 weeks of rapid growth. However, the mean age of the first visit to a specialist is 5 months. This delay might be due to a lack of knowledge among primary caretakers and parents, and due to waiting times. A Web-based e-learning module might improve knowledge and (risk) evaluation of parents leading to earlier presentation of high risk IH.
Objectives: First, to determine if parents are able to assess, before and after completing an e-learning module, whether (1) their child has a IH, (2) the IH is at risk of developing complications, (3) the IH needs to be seen by a specialist and (4) specialized care should be provided urgently. Second, to evaluate the compliance, acceptance, and usability of the e-learning module.
Methods: A Web-based e-learning module consisting of general information about IH and illustrative cases, followed by an e-consult (teledermatology) was developed. In a prospective study 158 parents of children with a suspected IH participated in this e-learning module. Using questionnaires, parents were asked before and after the e-learning module to assess their child’s skin abnormality. Dermatologists answered the same questionnaires (by e-consult), and their assessment was compared with the assessment of the parents. The e-learning module was evaluated using a modified Technology Acceptance Model.
Results: Parents showed a 96% concordance with the dermatologist on diagnosing the skin abnormality after completing the e-learning module. An increase in concordance was seen after e-learning on, assessing the risk of complications of the IH, the need to be seen by a specialist, and the urgency for specialized care (concordance of respectively 79%, 75%, and 84%, p <0.001). The evaluation of the e-learning module is currently under investigation but the first results look promising.
Conclusions: E-learning increases parents’ knowledge about IH and their (risk) evaluation. Therefore it might be a useful tool in daily practice. Furthermore, the results of this study implicate that involving parents in the care for IH through an e-learning module might result in earlier presentation of children with high risk IH in specialized centers. Pilot data suggest a positive evaluation of the e-learning module by parents.