Design and delivery of an e-learning curriculum for physicians involved with the management of pulmonary hypertension

Background:  Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a condition that affects more than 25 million individuals worldwide and causes premature disability and death. Despite advances in our understanding of this condition, education and training of health professionals has not kept pace with the rapid changes in diagnosis and treatment. The net effects of this gap between advancing knowledge and limited educational opportunity likely include clinically significant delays in both the diagnosis and commencement of effective evidence-based treatment - an unacceptable outcome for patients with a lethal condition. Aim:  The Actelion Clinical Excellence Programme (ACEP) is an e-learning postgraduate curriculum, the purpose of which is to educate and mentor healthcare professionals, both theoretically and practically, in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with all forms of PH. This article reports on the development and delivery of the programme and outcomes from its first year of operation. Results:  Forty-three healthcare professionals from 22 institutions were enroled in the first iteration of the programme. In the 6 months from May to October 2011, participants successfully completed 285 lectures and/or activities. Overall, the programme was considered easily accessible, comprehensive in terms of both quality and quantity, provided an efficient means of self-paced learning, and was a highly regarded as reference source. Ninety-five per cent of participants said that they intended to change their clinical practice as a result of the information presented in the programme. Conclusion:  ACEP represents a successful physician-industry partnership, which has resulted in a significant impact on clinical teaching and awareness of PH.