Assessment of Educational Needs and Outcomes

HPC has unique expertise with understanding behavior in clinical systems. We employ a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods to collect data, which we blend into a comprehensive needs assessment through the process of triangulation. While our research may involve traditional techniques, it is developed, implemented and analyzed from the perspective and understanding of stakeholder behavior in clinical settings. We strive to provide a deep understanding of how physicians and others make decisions in the clinical setting. This understanding translates into educational activities that are designed to drive best practices in clinical settings.

The methods we employ may be used before interventions, as a needs assessment; during interventions, as continuous assessment; and after educational or behavior change interventions as an outcomes assessment. HPC uses qualitative and quantitative measures as appropriate to the requirements of the project and the budget constraints. Some of the methods used include:

• • In-depth interviews
• • Focus groups
• • Knowledge Assessments
• • Competency Assessments – Case Vignettes/Questions
• • Learning Preferences Assessment
• • Change Readiness Inventory ®
• • Planned Change Assessment ®
• • Clinical and claims data analysis

Patient Assessments

The drive to achieve outcomes related to patient health means that CME providers must find ways to incorporate data from patients into needs and outcomes assessments. HPC has the expertise to plan patient assessment strategies and incorporate them into the educational process. Our specific expertise includes human research subject protection, institutional review board (IRB) application, patient recruitment, and patient data collection, analysis and reporting.

Content Development

Continuing Medical Education has moved beyond assessing outcomes in terms of quality of the food or the entertainment value of the speaker. CME providers today must demonstrate real change through clinical behavior and patient health outcomes. Our expertise in physician behavior-change enables us to inform curriculum development that will help to drive clinical performance change.

Educational Assessment Consulting

HPC offers consulting services on all aspects of educational assessments. We offer consultation, organization and individual needs assessment, along with training in all aspects of educational assessment. HPC proprietary tools are available to be licensed on an annual or per-use basis.

Data collection, analysis and reporting

HPC can collect manage your needs and outcomes data, with on-line and paper-based solutions for data collection. Our online survey platform facilitates survey dissemination to thousands of stakeholders, with the capacity for multiple question types and complex logic programming. We also provide in-depth data analysis and comprehensive reporting.

Small-Group Planning and Facilitation

HPC consultants have the ability to develop and moderate groups of physicians, patients, organizational leaders, and other stakeholders in healthcare, in order to gather, refine, or disseminate information. HPC offers planning and facilitation of small groups including:

• • Expert/learner meetings
• • Curriculum development
• • Clinical competency development for needs and outcomes assessments
• • Focus groups with clinicians, patients, and other stakeholders

Training

HPC offers customized training solutions in the following areas:

• • CME needs and outcomes assessment
• • Patient communications and relationships
• • Medical presentation skills