Impact of an Online Educational Webinar on Awareness, Clinical Confidence, and Perceived Barriers in the Management of Congenital Hyperinsulinism in India: A Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors: Jaikumar B Contractor, Praveen Singh
Keywords: Neonatal Hypoglycaemia, Medical Education, Digital Interventions, Rare Diseases, Resource-Limited Settings
Abstract:
Background: Congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) is a rare, life-threatening disorder requiring early recognition to prevent irreversible neurological damage. In low- and middle-income countries like India, the management of CHI is often hindered by limited awareness and lack of structured educational programs. Digital platforms offer a scalable approach to bridge these knowledge gaps. Objective: This study evaluated the effectiveness of an online educational webinar in enhancing knowledge, clinical confidence, and perceptions regarding CHI management. Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted following a webinar organized by the Congenital Hyperinsulinism India Association. A total of 273 participants (from 432 registrants) completed a structured post-webinar survey using a 5-point Likert scale and open-ended questions. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Results: The intervention achieved broad engagement across specialties and geographies. High perceived utility was reported, with 89% (n=243) of respondents agreeing the session was beneficial to their practice. Post-webinar, 68% (n=186) of participants reported feeling "Confident" or "Very Confident" in managing neonatal hypoglycaemia. However, significant systemic hurdles were identified, including limited awareness among frontline providers (81%) and resource constraints for advanced diagnostics like 18F-DOPA PET/CT (74%). Qualitative feedback highlighted a need for modular learning to mitigate delivery fatigue and a strong sense of professional altruism toward rare disease advocacy. Conclusion: Digital educational interventions are effective for large-scale capacity building in rare diseases. While such platforms significantly enhance clinical confidence, future initiatives must transition toward modular learning and be coupled with institutional advocacy to overcome persistent diagnostic and resource barriers in India.
