Educating antenatal patients about cytomegalovirus infection: An e-learning package improves general practitioners' knowledge and intention to implement clinical guidelines

Hayley Smithers-Sheedy; Katherine Swinburn; Natalia Rode; Tanya Tripathi; Natasha Holmes; Emma Waight; Annabel Webb; Philip N Britton; Hugh Stump; Antonia Shand; Lisa Hui

doi:10.31128/AJGP-11-24-7478

Educating antenatal patients about cytomegalovirus infection: An e-learning package improves general practitioners' knowledge and intention to implement clinical guidelines

Aust J Gen Pract. 2025 Jun;54(6):407-412. doi: 10.31128/AJGP-11-24-7478.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ BAppSc (SpPath), MPH, PhD, Principal Research Fellow, Cerebral Palsy Alliance, Sydney, NSW; Adjunct Associate Professor, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW.
² BAppSc (SpPath), MPH, Research Officer, Cerebral Palsy Alliance, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW.
³ MBBS, BSc (Med) (Hons), FRACGP, DRANZCOG, DCH, Education and Research General Practitioner, Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Newborn Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic.
⁴ BPT, PhD, Research Fellow, Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Newborn Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic.
⁵ MBBS (Hons), PhD, Infectious Diseases Physician, Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Austin Health, Melbourne, Vic; Associate Professor, Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Vic; Infectious Diseases Physician, Department of Perinatal Medicine, Mercy Hospital for Women, Melbourne, Vic.
⁶ BAppPH, Research Associate, Cerebral Palsy Alliance, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW.
⁷ BSc, MRes (Stat), Statistician, Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW.
⁸ FRACP, MPH@TM, PhD, Staff Specialist in Infectious Diseases, The Children@s Hospital at Westmead and The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW.
⁹ FRACGP-RG, FRACGP, MBBS, DCH, BAgEc (Hons), Rural Generalist General Practitioner, Orange Aboriginal Medical Service, Orange, NSW; Adjunct Academic, Charles Sturt University, Orange, NSW.
¹⁰ MBChB, FRANCOG, CMFM, Mmed (Clin Epi), Staff Specialist, Royal Hospital for Women, Sydney, NSW; Research Fellow, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW.
¹¹ MBBS, PhD, Professor, Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Newborn Health, Melbourne Medical School, Faculty of Medical, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic; Group Leader, Reproductive Epidemiology, Murdoch Children@s Research Institute, Melbourne, Vic; Maternity Fetal Medicine Specialist, Mercy Hospital for Women, Melbourne, Vic; Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist, Northern Health, Melbourne, Vic.

PMID: 40466734
DOI: 10.31128/AJGP-11-24-7478

Abstract

Background and objectives: The Australian Government's Living Evidence for Australian Pregnancy and Postnatal Care guideline recommend all pregnant women be informed about cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection risk-reduction strategies. The aim of this paper was to determine the effectiveness of the 'Infections in Pregnancy' e-learning module in improving general practitioner (GP) knowledge, confidence in counselling and intended practice regarding CMV patient education.

Method: This study used a pre-post quasi-experimental design. GPs undertaking the module in March to December 2023 completed questionnaires before and after completing the module. An adjusted linear mixed effects model was used to evaluate change in scores.

Results: Of 164 study participants, 94% had not previously received CMV prevention education. Total adjusted mean CMV knowledge scores and confidence in CMV counselling were significantly higher after completing the module (P<0.001). The proportion of GPs intending to counsel pregnant patients about CMV increased from 24% to 97% after completing the module.

Discussion: Targeted e-learning can improve GP knowledge and confidence, and can support the implementation of the national congenital CMV risk-reduction guidelines.

MeSH terms

Adult
Australia
Clinical Competence / standards
Clinical Competence / statistics & numerical data
Cytomegalovirus Infections* / prevention & control
Cytomegalovirus Infections* / therapy
Female
General Practitioners* / education
General Practitioners* / psychology
General Practitioners* / statistics & numerical data
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Patient Education as Topic* / methods
Patient Education as Topic* / standards
Practice Guidelines as Topic
Pregnancy
Prenatal Care / methods
Prenatal Care / standards
Surveys and Questionnaires