On-line ethics education for occupational therapy clinician-educators: a single-group pre-/post-test study.

Ethics education is a critical component of training rehabilitation practitioners. There is a need for capacity-building among ethics educators regarding facilitating ethical decision-making among students. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of an on-line ethics education module for occupational therapy clinician-educators (problem-based learning tutors/clinical placement preceptors/evidence-based practice facilitators). The informed development and evaluation of the module. Clinician-educators ( = 33) viewed the module and reported on its impact on knowledge and facilitation practices via pre, post, and follow-up questionnaires. Pre- and post-test data indicated improvement in self-reported ethics knowledge ( = 8.275,  < 0.01). Follow-up data indicated knowledge did not decrease over time ( = -1.483,  = 0.075). There was improvement in self-reported intent to change practice ( = 4.93,  < 0.01); however, actual practice change was not indicated ( = -1.499,  = 0.072). This study provides preliminary data regarding an on-line ethics education module for clinician-educators. Future recommendations include broader consideration of context, adding supplemental knowledge translation components, and further research exploring outcomes with larger samples, longer follow-up and randomized trial methodology.Implications for RehabilitationThe on-line ethics module has potential to improve rehabilitation practice by addressing the noted gap in knowledge among clinician-educators.Viewing an on-line module regarding approaches to ethics education may not be sufficient to change clinician-educators' teaching practices.More time and opportunities to discuss ethics with student occupational therapists may be required to effect practice change among clinician-educators.Developing ethics education tools for clinician-educators requires ongoing and iterative input from knowledge users to optimize translation of ideas to practice.