From tradition to Simulation: an experience of team training on management of shoulder dystocia

Abstract

Objective: To determine if simulation-based team training improves the management of shoulder dystocia compared to traditionally taught obstetrical emergencies.

Method: The prospective mixed-method study was conducted at the Centre for Innovation in Medical Education at the Aga Khan University, Karachi, from June to August 2018, and comprised doctors and nurses having up to five years of labour and delivery experience. The subjects were divided into two equal groups which were further subdivided into four equal teams. Group 1 was taught to manage shoulder dystocia using traditional lectures and hands-on pelvic models, while group 2 was trained in a simulated environment with a simulated scenario of shoulder dystocia. After two weeks, the performance of both teams were assessed and compared. Data was analysed using SPSS 19. A focus group discussion was subsequently conducted on the quality of the simulation experience.

Results: Of the 32 subjects, 16(50%) each were doctors and nurses. They were divided into groups having 16(50%) members each, and each group had 4 teams having 4(25%) subjects. The overall mean age of the sample was 31.9±2.8 years (range: 28-38 years). The mean score for performance on technical and communication task of group 2 was 10.25±1.258 compared to 5.7± 2.500 in group 1 (p=0.028). Focus group participants agreed that training in a simulated environment was far superior than being traditionally taught.

Conclusion: Simulation-based team training in shoulder dystocia management was associated with better feedback than traditional-style teaching.

Key Words: Simulation, Shoulder dystocia, Team training, Obstetrical emergency.

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