Randomised trial of an integrated educational strategy to reduce investigation rates in young women with dysfunctional uterine bleeding.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effectiveness of an integrated educational strategy to change clinician behaviour and reduce the number of hysteroscopies and/or dilatation and curettages for women 40 years or less with dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB).


METHODS
Randomised controlled trial with six-month follow-up.


METHODS
Public teaching hospital gynaecology units with 12,000-13,000 relevant procedures per year.


METHODS
Six public gynaecology units made up of 62 gynaecologists or trainees allocated at random to intervention group - three, or control group - 3. Intervention An educational strategy that included dissemination of evidence-based guidelines via a problem-based interactive workshop facilitated by an opinion leader and a laminated algorithm and guidelines.


METHODS
The number of hysteroscopies and/or dilatation and curettages performed for DUB on women 40 years or less, clinician behaviour change and perceived booking rates of the procedure.


RESULTS
At six months, there was no significant effect on the number of hysteroscopies and/or dilatation and curettages performed but there was an increase in evidence-based behaviour.


CONCLUSIONS
While the evidence-based educational strategy for the appropriate investigation of young women with DUB resulted in clinician behaviour change when applied to theoretical cases, it did not result in a reduction in hysteroscopy/D&C rates at six months.
Searle
Judith
J
Flinders University of South Australia, Bedford Park, Australia.
Grover
Sonia
S
Santin
Anita
A
Weideman
Prue
P
D000328:Adult; D003475:Curettage / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology / Q000193:education*; D006302:Health Services Research; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D015907:Hysteroscopy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D033181:Information Dissemination; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014739:Victoria