Abstract Body: Objectives:
A series of video podcasts (vodcasts) on venous thromboembolism (VTE) care were released. This exploratory qualitative study pursued three aims: 1) complement the quantitative evaluation of the vodcasts’ impact on practice; 2) identify remaining gaps and needs in VTE care; and 3) assess learners’ experience with performance improvement-quality improvement (PI-QI) initiatives within the cardiovascular care domain. The ultimate study purpose was to inform the development of an additional vodcast to raise clinicians’ awareness, knowledge and engagement with PI-QI approaches, and support practice improvement.

Methods:
Ten semi-structured interviews were conducted with U.S.-based healthcare professionals (HCPs) who had viewed at least one VTE vodcast within the five months preceding the interview. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Findings:
Interviews were completed with nurse practitioners (n=3), pharmacists (n=3), nurses (n=2), a physician associate (n=1), and a physician (n=1). Participants described positive changes in clinical practice, including improved adherence to current VTE guidelines, more informed treatment selection, and greater personalization of patient care (Table 1).

At the same time, learners reported ongoing difficulties managing treatment complications—particularly bleeding in special populations and complex patients. They also identified persistent challenges in care coordination across out-of-network professionals, prescribing clinicians, pharmacies, and interdepartmental teams within the same network (Table 2).

Limited awareness and understanding of PI–QI concepts emerged across most participants. Several confused PI–QI with other educational activities, such as departmental meetings, webinars, or medical conferences. Reported barriers to participation in PI–QI initiatives included time constraints and solo practice settings (Table 3).

Conclusions:
Findings not only highlighted the vodcasts’ impact on HCPs’ clinical practice, but also uncovered key educational needs among HCPs in VTE management, especially in addressing treatment complications, adherence, and care coordination. The observed misunderstanding of PI–QI concepts guided the development of an additional vodcast aimed at helping clinicians distinguish PI–QI from traditional continuing medical/health education, recognize its relevance to practice improvement, and explore examples of potential PI–QI interventions to address identified gaps.