Objective: To assess the Ixcellence Network® training programme educative quality and impact on physicians using botulinum neurotoxin-A (BoNT-A) in cervical dystonia (CD) and spastic paresis (SP).

Background: BoNT-A is a well-established treatment for CD and SP. However, proper administration requires specific training. The Ixcellence Network® is a high-level international educational programme developed for physicians performing BoNT-A injection in patients with CD and SP.

Method: A Steering Committee composed of 6 experts in the management of CD and SP designed a network of 10 training centres and the contents of the programme to encourage innovative methods and approaches to patients’ management, including diagnosis, tailored treatment and rehabilitation. The programme quality and impact were assessed through attendees’ feedback collected at the end of each course (T0) and six months later by email (T6).

Results: From launch in September 2012 to December 2018, 839 physicians participated in training sessions dedicated to adult SP (49%), paediatric SP (22%) and CD (29%). Feedback was collected from, respectively, 727 and 266 physicians at T0 and T6. Overall, attendees were highly satisfied. At T0, 77% of respondents reported an excellent general level of satisfaction and 97% stated that they would recommend the programme to a colleague. They reported that the training achieved their personal objectives (96%) and that the information provided during the course will change their practice (89%). This result was confirmed in the long-term feedback, with 92% of respondents reporting that the training had changed their daily practice and helped improve their self-confidence. Of the 191 respondents who attended courses between January 2015 and December 2017, 89% reported having shared some of the information learned during the training with their colleagues (51% through daily practice, 21% by sharing documents, 11% by organizing a meeting, 6% by another way). Moreover, out of the 55 physicians who attended courses in 2017, 82% would consider training their colleagues.

Conclusion: Since launch in 2012, the Ixcellence Network® programme provided more than 800 physicians with an interactive way to further develop their specialised skills and with the expertise to train their peers at a local level.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/ixcellence-network-an-international-innovative-educational-programme-to-improve-cervical-dystonia-and-spastic-paresis-management-feedback-survey-from-839-attendees/