The Open Medical Education Journal
2012, 5 : 12-16Published online 2012 June 29. DOI: 10.2174/1876519X01205010012
Publisher ID: TOMEDEDUJ-5-12
Comparison Study of ALSO ® Trained and Traditionally Trained OB-GYN and Family Medicine Residents in Shoulder Dystocia
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Obstetrics is a high risk specialty. The cephalic presentation vaginal delivery complicated by shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency commonly encountered. This study compares shoulder dystocia resolution edu-cational and manual skills of Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB-GYN) and Family Medicine (FM) residents following com-pletion of Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics (ALSO®) trained vs. a group of OB-GYN and FM residents untrained in ALSO but trained in traditional means in a traditional residency to manage shoulder dystocia.
Materials and Methods:
Shoulder dystocia resolution skills taught in simulation using pelvic and fetal manikins were tested in Family Medicine and OB-GYN residencies who were ALSO ® trained, and they were retested for the purpose of this study 6 months after their training. The same testing, using the same checklist, was done for traditionally trained OB-GYN and Family Medicine residents (who had not been exposed to the ALSO® training) by the same instructor, using the same checklist.
Results:
The mean score of all (FM & OB-GYN) who had taken the course six months before testing was statistically higher than those in traditional OB-GYN and FM training who had not (p < 0.0001).
Discussion/Conclusions:
Performance scores of simulation-trained Family Medicine and OB-GYN residents in resolving shoulder dystocia was higher 6 months after training compared to a group of OB-GYN and Family Medicine residents from traditional residencies not trained in shoulder dystocia resolution. This may have implications for patient safety.