WebMD today released a new study that indicates physicians who participate in online CME programs on Medscape from WebMD (www.medscape.com) are 50 percent more likely to make evidence-based diagnostic and treatment recommendations for their patients which helps lead to improved patient care. Medscape, the leading provider of online medical information and education for physicians and other healthcare professionals, is owned and operated by WebMD.

The research, a randomized controlled study commissioned by WebMD and conducted by independent research group Outcomes, Inc., found that physicians who participate in Medscape CME activities are 50 percent more likely to provide their patients with evidence-based recommendations than matched physicians who did not participate in the online activities. Improved adherence to evidence-based recommendations in the Medscape online CME activities that were the subject of this study have the potential to impact the care of over two million patients each week.

"This research provides strong evidence that online CME is a highly effective and efficient means for educating physicians," said Steve Zatz, MD, EVP, Professional Services, WebMD. "As the leading provider of online CME, WebMD is helping to transform the lifelong learning process for physicians by providing instant access to credible, relevant and searchable medical information at the exact time when physicians need it most."

In a related study, Outcomes, Inc. found that online CME provided by Medscape is also more cost efficient than traditional formats, including live meetings, newsletters and dinner meetings .

"The Internet provides us with the first overall educational delivery system available for self-directed learning," said Linda Casebeer, PhD, President, Outcomes, Inc. "Physicians have quickly adapted to seeking medical information online, particularly through online CME that provides objective scientific information. It is exciting to see that physicians are using this information in making evidence-based choices about patient care more often than their colleagues who keep up-to-date in other ways."

Medscape LLC is a fully accredited provider of CME by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME). Medscape provides physicians and other healthcare professionals with online CME activities in a variety of interactive formats, including text, audio and video, to meet their education needs and scheduling demands. In 2005, a record total of 1.3 million medical education programs were completed on Medscape.

Research Method:
Outcomes, Inc. conducted a randomized controlled study of more than 108,000 physicians who participated in 35 Medscape CME activities selected for study between 2005 and 2006. A sample of 3,500 physicians, half who had participated in Medscape CME activities, and half who had not, completed case-based surveys to assess their knowledge of the evidence-based diagnostic and treatment recommendations from these activities. The results were matched with a group of physicians who had not been exposed to the program. Medical and specialty areas among the 35 Medscape CME activities included:

• psychiatric care
• stroke and myocardial infarction
• multiple sclerosis
• HIV
• asthma
• osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis
• prostate and non-small-cell lung cancer
• benign prostatic hyperplasia and lower urinary tract symptoms
• ADHD and bipolar disorder in children
• antibiotic drug resistance and serious hospital acquired infections
• women's health

About WebMD

WebMD Health Corp. (NASDAQ: WBMD) is a leading provider of health information services to consumers, physicians, healthcare professionals, employers and health plans through our public and private online portals and health-focused publications. WebMD is a subsidiary of Emdeon Corporation (NASDAQ: HLTH).

The WebMD Health Network reaches approximately 30 million visitors a month through its leading owned and operated health sites that include WebMD Health, Medscape, MedicineNet, eMedicine, eMedicine Health, RxList and theheart.org.

Contact:
MacLean Guthrie
212-624-3700
macguthrie@webmd.net

Source: WEB MD