Online Education Yields Significant Gains in Physicians' Knowledge on How to Mitigate the Impact of Climate Change on Lung Disease

Background: Many physicians feel unprepared to discuss climate change and its health effects with patients, lacking confidence in addressing global warming in clinical practice. We developed an on-demand CME activity, Mitigating the Impact of Climate Change on Lung Disease: Clinical Guidance for Healthcare Professionals, to enhance physician understanding of their role in mitigating the effects of climate change and air pollution on respiratory health.

Methods: PCPs and pulmonologists participated in a 30-minute online CME activity (https://www.medscape.org/viewarticle/1001728) led by two experts with slides. Educational impact was assessed using a 4-question repeated-pairs pre-/post-assessment. A paired samples t-test measured changes in overall correct responses and confidence levels, while McNemar’s test analyzed question-level significance (P<.05). Cohen’s d estimated effect size (<.20 modest, .20-.49 small, .50-.79 moderate, ≥.80 large). The activity launched on 10/25/2024, with data collected through 12/19/2024.

Results: 905 PCPs and 467 pulmonologists participated, with 99 and 47 completing pre-/post-questions, respectively. Knowledge improved in 60% of PCPs and 72% of pulmonologists regarding clinical guidance and strategies to minimize air pollution and climate change effects on health (P<.001; P<.01, Cohen’s d=0.56-0.45). Confidence increased in 40% of PCPs and 38% of pulmonologists in their ability to adopt mitigation strategies for patients with chronic respiratory conditions.

Conclusions: This CME activity significantly improved physician knowledge and confidence on strategies to minimize the impact of climate change in their patients.