Assessment of self learning outcomes and knowledge management among clinicians

Hypothesis: We hypothesized that identification of individual knowledge needs will lead to better learning assessment outcome among clinicians and will promote selfdirected learning activities, ultimately leading to an expedited professional competence. Research.;Methods: We designed and implemented a web based integrated clinical learning and knowledge management platform, named as Clinical Pearl and hosted at www.clinicalpearl.com. A beta testing was conducted with residents, students and physicians to assess the features and hypothesis among these clinicians.;Results: Our study showed that a point of care clinical tool to identify knowledge needs and gaps fulfilled not only a reflective learning activity, but also encouraged users to practice more evidence based cost sensitive medicine for better patient outcome. Furthermore, an integrated platform with built in complete learning cycle management proved to be a time saving and convenient strategy to organize professional activities for better continuous professional development. Our initial survey findings supported somewhat the idea of comprehensive learning cycle management platform with all necessary tools such as CME organizer, clinical library and point of care learning platform. A summary of their learning needs can help to identify their CME needs as well.;Conclusion: We have attempted to design a comprehensive web based clinical knowledge management, and tracking platform with integrated literature/information management and appraisal Tools. Our web based clinical knowledge management and learning platform has provided some preliminary supportive evidence of enhancing reflective learning, knowledge gaps and needs assessment among healthcare professionals. A personal knowledge repository for life long self-directed learning would benefit all healthcare professionals in coming years. Health care professionals at all level of career (residents, attending, PA, NP,) will be benefited from this venture.;Objectives: The primary objective of our study is to explore the feasibility of utilizing a web based integrated clinical knowledge and literature management platform to capture point of care learning needs by providing easy access to literature resources, tools to promote literature appraisal skills and a web space for personal knowledge repository for life long self-directed learning.