Online Education Intervention to Reduce Ageism Among Undergraduate Students

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Ageism is common is healthcare workers, and that results in negative outcomes for elderly patients. This randomized controlled trial is to determine if age bias could be changed by an online learning activity in undergraduate students in an entry-level nutrition class.

Detailed Description
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This randomized controlled trial with two parallel arms is to determine the effect of an online educational intervention developed to reduce ageism in undergraduate students enrolled in an entry-level Nutrition class. Eligible study participants will be randomized into either the Intervention group (INT) or the Control group (CON). The two groups will have different learning material delivered online via Blackboard (Learning Management System/LMS). These include a collection of short videos developed by the researchers, as well as relevant videos available on the web. Participants in the INT group will learn about aging and ageism, while the CON group will learn about diversity and cultural competence. Sociodemographic data, percieved risk of COVID-19, preventative behaviors related ot COVID-19 will be collected using a questionnaire at baseline. Ageism will be assessed using standard questionnaires. Data collection will be done at three time points: Pre-intervention, immediate post intervention and 2-weeks post-intervention. Difference between groups for pre-post intervention changes will be assessed.

Official Title
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Effectiveness of an Online Educational Intervention to Reduce Ageism in Undergraduate Students in an Entry-level Nutrition Class

Conditions
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Ageism

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Online educational intervention to reduce ageism
* Behavioral: Online educational intervention to enhance cultural competance


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: 18 years or older Enrolled in 3 sections of the introductory level nutrition course taught by three different instructors.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Intervention group (INT)<br>An online learning module targeted to reduce ageism will be delivered to the INT group. | Behavioral: Online educational intervention to reduce ageism<br>* Participants in this group will go over multiple short videos covering the following content:1). Myths about aging, 2). Ageism and its negative effects, 3). Distorted views about aging among young adults, 4). Ageism during the COVID-19 pandemic, and 5). importance of reducing ageism among healthcare professionals. These will be multiple videos posted on the LMS (Blackboard). At the end of the lesson, they will be asked to briefly write what they learned on Blackboard as an assignment.<br>|
| Active Comparator: Control group (CON)<br>An online learning module on diversity and cultural competence will be delivered to the CON group. | Behavioral: Online educational intervention to enhance cultural competance<br>* Participants in the control group will go over multiple short videos covering the following content: 1). Myths about cultural competence, 2) Cultural competence for health care professionals including dietitians, 3). Connecting culture and food, and 4). Importance of cultural competence in sports dietitians. At the end of the lesson, they will be asked to briefly write what they learned. These will be multiple videos posted on the LMS (Blackboard). At the end of the lesson, they will be asked to briefly write what they learned on Blackboard as an assignment.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Difference between groups for pre-and post intervention changes in the score of Fraboni's Scale for Ageism | Higher Fraboni's score indicates more bias. | From Pre- to immediate post- intervention | 
| Difference between groups for pre- and 2-weeks post intervention changes in the score of Fraboni's Scale for Ageism | Higher Fraboni's score indicates more bias. | From Pre- to 2-weeks post-intervention | 
| Difference between groups for pre-post intervention changes in benevolent subscores of the Ambivalent ageism scale | Higher benevolent score indicates more benevolent ageism | From Pre- to immediate post- intervention | 
| Difference between groups for pre and 2-weeks post intervention changes in benevolent subscores of the Ambivalent ageism scale Higher score indicates more benevolent bias. | Higher benevolent score indicates more benevolent ageism | From Pre- to 2-weeks post-intervention | 
| Difference between groups for pre-post intervention changes in hostile subscores of the Ambivalent ageism scale | Higher hostile score indicates more hostile ageism | From Pre- to immediate post- intervention | 
| Difference between groups for pre and 2-week post intervention changes in hostile subscores of the Ambivalent ageism scale | Higher hostile score indicates more hostile ageism | From Pre- to 2-weeks post-intervention | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Difference between groups for pre-post intervention changes in age-related implicit bias |  | From Pre- to immediate post- intervention | 
| Difference between groups for pre and 2-week post intervention changes in age-related implicit bias |  | From Pre- to 2-weeks post-intervention | 
| Difference between groups for pre-post intervention changes in the value (years) used to define old age |  | From Pre- to immediate post- intervention | 
| Difference between groups for pre and 2-weeks post intervention changes in the value (years) used to define old age |  | From Pre- to 2-weeks post-intervention | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Ageism, Older adults, Educational intervention