149 - Dental Trainee Attitudes about Electronic Patient Education Information and Utilization

Purpose:
To assess dental trainees’ perception and utilization of Electronic Health Record (EHR)-embedded Patient Education Information (PEI). When combined with verbal instructions, PEI improves patient understanding, adherence, and outcomes; however, students’ awareness, attitudes, and utilization of PEI is currently unknown.

Methods:
An anonymous online survey of 3rd- and 4th-year predoctoral and postdoctoral dental students (n=75) at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine assessed familiarity with PEI (content, location); recall of PEI-related training; and students’ attitudes, perceived clinical utility, self-reported usage patterns, and barriers to utilization. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses assessed differences by demographic variables and training stage.

Results:
Among 49 predocs and 24 postdocs, 94% stated patient education is “very important” and PEI would benefit patients (93%; 49% "a lot" or 44% "somewhat"). Most (65%) report patients at least "sometimes" request materials (79% postdocs; 58% predocs). Most (n=50; 71%) were unaware of EHR-embedded PEI and did not recall training (n=62; 89%). Few (n=12; 17%) correctly identified PEI’s EHR location. Among those utilizing PEI (n=6; 9%), all were postdocs. No significant differences observed by demographics or stage. Recall of PEI-related training was strongly associated with utilization (43% vs. 5%, p<0.01). Barriers included difficulty locating PEI (n=55), time constraints (n=33), language (n=24), limited printing access (n=15), and uncertain patient interest (n=14).

Conclusions:
Incongruent with students’ recognition of PEI’s benefits, and despite patient material requests, PEI remains underutilized. Though limited by small sample size, findings suggest structural interventions to overcome barriers including training enhancements, printing support, and in-EHR reminders may improve utilization.