title: Self-perceived impact of simulation-based training on the management of real-life obstetrical emergencies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the self-perceived impact of attending a simulation-based training course on the management of real-life obstetrical emergencies.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective follow-up study was conducted. Obstetric nurses and obstetricians (n=54) from a tertiary care university hospital participated in a simulation-based training course for the management of four obstetric emergencies. One year after the last session of the course, participants were asked to complete a questionnaire evaluating the self-perceived impact it had on their knowledge, technical skills, and teamwork skills during experienced real-life situations. A five-point Likert grading scale was used. The χ(2) test with one degree of freedom or the Fisher's exact test were used to compare groups of participants. The t-test for independent samples was used to compare mean scores between groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 46 healthcare professionals answered the questionnaire: 27 obstetricians and 19 obstetric nurses. Of these, 87% perceived an improvement (scores 4 or 5) in their knowledge and skills during real emergencies. Obstetric nurses expressed a significantly higher improvement than obstetricians in their ability to diagnose or be aware of obstetrical emergencies (p=0.002), in their technical skills (p=0.024), and in their ability to deal with teamwork related issues (p=0.005). Participants who had experienced in real-life situations all four simulated scenarios rated the impact of training significantly higher than others (p=0.049), and also reported a better improvement in their knowledge of management guidelines (p=0.006).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Healthcare professionals who participated in a simulation-based training course in obstetrical emergencies perceived a substantial improvement in their knowledge and skills when witnessing real-life emergencies. Improvements seem to be particularly relevant for obstetric nurses and for those who witness all trained obstetrical emergencies.
authors.affiliation: Simulation Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Portugal. reynolds@med.up.pt
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Reynolds
authors.forename: Diogo
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ayres-de-Campos
authors.forename: Mariana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lobo
mesh_terms: D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000379:methods*; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000628:therapy; D009773:Obstetric Nursing / Q000193:education*; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000193:education*; D009775:Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Hospital; D010348:Patient Care Team; D016544:Patient Simulation; D011174:Portugal; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000628:therapy*; D011361:Professional Competence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D057566:Self Report; D000078329:Workforce