Factors Influencing Learners’ Knowledge and Implementation of Value-Based Care Concepts Postcourse Certification

Abstract

Providing value-based care (VBC) training to relevant stakeholders promotes broader adoption of VBC principles, which in turn can drive improvements in care coordination, patient outcomes, and cost efficiency across the health system. This study assessed the impact of VBC training on learners’ self-reported knowledge and examined how learner characteristics influenced the implementation of VBC principles in professional practice post-training. A 12-week, open online VBC course with 6 modules was developed collaboratively by an academic institution and industry partners. Learners were invited to complete pre- and post-course surveys, and to self-report changes in their knowledge and implementation of VBC principles following course completion. Independent variables included age, geographic residence, education level, biological sex, race/ethnicity, student status, employment status, prior VBC experience, and health care work experience. A linear regression model was used to examine factors associated with increased self-reported knowledge, while logistic regression assessed the relationship between independent variables and the likelihood of learners implementing the course concepts learned in practice. The analytic sample included 715 pre- and post- survey responses. Self-reported knowledge and confidence in VBC concepts increased by 60% by course completion, with 63% of learners reporting early implementation of VBC concepts. Greater increases in self-reported were observed among learners with prior clinical experience and those without prior VBC experience. Learners with higher rates of self-reported VBC implementation were more likely to be female, in full-time employment (35+ hours a week), have prior VBC experience as providers, and undergraduate students. Online VBC education can improve self-reported knowledge and confidence in VBC concepts for a myriad of learners, which translates to increased implementation in health care environments.