title: Simulation training in an obstetric clerkship: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To estimate the effect of simulation training on the confidence of medical students to perform a vaginal delivery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical students on 12 consecutive rotations were recruited and randomly assigned to a traditional lecture on performing a vaginal delivery or a lecture plus hands-on vaginal delivery simulation. Participants completed confidence assessment questionnaires at baseline and 4 weeks after training. End-of-rotation examination scores were also compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One-hundred thirteen students participated (94.9% of those eligible). Students receiving simulation training were significantly more confident in their ability to perform a vaginal delivery immediately after assessment than students who did not receive the simulation training (P<.01); however, these differences narrowed over time. Compared with lecture-only students, simulation students scored significantly higher on their oral (P=.004) and written examinations (P=.009) 4 weeks after the intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A single obstetric simulation is more effective than lecture only for increasing students' end-of-rotation oral and written examination scores.
  
  
  METHODS
  I.
authors.affiliation: From the Division of General Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Office of Clinical Research, and the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida; and the Division of General Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.
authors.forename: Shelly W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Holmström
authors.forename: Katheryne
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Downes
authors.forename: James C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Mayer
authors.forename: Lee A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Learman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002982:Clinical Clerkship; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003198:Computer Simulation; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000193:education; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008348:Manikins; D008875:Middle Aged; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000193:education*; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods