Use of an Online Educational Module to Improve Physician Skills to Diagnose Vaginitis

This article was migrated. The article was not marked as recommended. Background: The availability of rapid laboratory diagnostic tests, coupled with physicians' lack of confidence in their microscopy skills, may cause physician educators to teach microscopy less in residency training when diagnosing vaginitis and cervicitis. Objective: We sought to evaluate the level of comfort of diagnosing vaginitis and cervicitis with microscopy and to determine whether an online educational module could improve diagnostic skills among our primary care residency clinic preceptors. Methods: We created an online education module, aimed at assessing diagnostic microscopy skills and at improving knowledge about vaginitis and cervicitis. Preceptors were invited to complete the education module and a pre- and post-module survey to assess their knowledge and practice patterns. Results: Of 33 eligible preceptors, 21 (63%) completed both pre- and post-surveys. Twenty preceptors (95%) found the teaching module helpful, and 76.2% reported desiring better training in microscopy. Preceptors' knowledge scores improved significantly post-intervention (p = 0.0045). Preceptors who were female, who trained in Medicine-Pediatrics, and whose patient panels were predominantly female had higher scores. Discussion: Our teaching module was well-received by preceptors, and preceptors' testing scores improved significantly post-intervention. Online education modules may be an effective method to improve physicians' office-based microscopy skills to diagnose vaginitis and cervicitis.