title: Effectiveness of an instructional DVD on third- and fourth-degree laceration repair for obstetrics and gynecology postgraduate trainees.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effectiveness of an instructional DVD on the anatomy and repair of anal sphincter lacerations to improve postgraduate trainees' understanding.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 71 obstetrics and gynecology trainees completed a pretest of third- and fourth-degree lacerations to assess baseline knowledge and perceptions. Question categories included anatomy, antibiotics, anesthesia, repair methods, complications, postoperative care, and risk factors. After 1 year of clinical experience, 67 trainees (94%) were randomly assigned into DVD (intervention) and non-DVD (control) groups. A post-test was administered 4 weeks later.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the DVD group (n=34), mean scores on the pretest versus the post-test were 65% vs 74% for postgraduate year (PGY)-1 (P=0.09); 72% vs 83% for PGY-2 (P=0.06); 67% vs 83% for PGY-3 (P=0.01); and 75% vs 87% for PGY-4 (P<0.001). In the non-DVD group (n=33), mean scores did not change significantly for any year level. The increase in score from pretest to post-test was significantly different between the 2 groups, independent of year (P<0.001). DVD group scores improved significantly over non-DVD group scores in anatomy (P=0.005) and repair methods (P=0.042) subscales.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An educational video is an effective tool for improving understanding of third- and fourth-degree lacerations for physicians-in-training.
authors.affiliation: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dallas, Texas 75390-9032, USA. tamara.chao@utsouthwestern.edu
authors.forename: Tamara T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Chao
authors.forename: George D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Wendel
authors.forename: Donald D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: McIntire
authors.forename: Marlene M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Corton
mesh_terms: D001003:Anal Canal / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D022125:Lacerations / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000193:education*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014742:Videodisc Recording