TITLE:
Novel Simulation Workshop Improves Performance in Vacuum Delivery
AUTHORS:
Katrina Calvert, Mathias Epee, Anne Karzcub, Cliff Neppe, Michael Allen, Wendy Hughes, Paul McGurgan, Richard King, Alexander Maouris, Dorota Doherty, Panos Maouris
KEYWORDS:
Vacuum Delivery, Simulation, Training, Patient Safety
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.6 No.8,
June
23,
2016
ABSTRACT: Background: Operative vaginal delivery is a common obstetric
intervention, with the potential to cause harm to mother and baby. Training in operative
delivery traditionally comprised junior trainees learning the skills under
supervision, then practicing and refining them independently. Recently this
model has come under scrutiny, with the advent of simulation-based training suggesting
a method by which the skills of safe delivery may be taught without risk.
Multiple training courses exist, but few have been subjected to evaluation. Aims:
The primary aim was to investigate if a simulation-based training workshop,
where the development of a successful technique for vacuum delivery occurs
using a collaborative, problem-solving approach, improves the rate of correct
vacuum cup placement. The secondary aim was to determine if the workshop leads
to improvement in theoretical knowledge of vacuum delivery. Methods: Participants
on three workshops were assessed for their performance in vacuum delivery prior
to and following a multimodal training program. Participants included general
practitioner obstetricians, obstetric trainees and resident medical officers.
Evaluation occurred using a standardised Likert-scaled rating sheet and
utilising a diagrammatic representation of cup placement. Results: The
participants demonstrated significant improvement (median post-pre score 1, p in the accuracy of cup
placement, in a variety of practical core skills and in theoretical knowledge
of vacuum delivery. Discussion: Participation in a simulation-based vacuum
delivery workshop improves the performance of obstetric trainees and GP
obstetricians. Further work is required to evaluate the performance of such
training modalities on clinically relevant outcomes.