title: Assessment of long-term knowledge retention following single-day simulation training for uncommon but critical obstetrical events.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objectives were to determine (i) whether simulation training results in short-term and long-term improvement in the management of uncommon but critical obstetrical events and (ii) to determine whether there was additional benefit from annual exposure to the workshop.
  
  
  METHODS
  Physicians completed a pretest to measure knowledge and confidence in the management of eclampsia, shoulder dystocia, postpartum hemorrhage and vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery. They then attended a simulation workshop and immediately completed a posttest. Residents completed the same posttests 4 and 12 months later, and attending physicians completed the posttest at 12 months. Physicians participated in the same simulation workshop 1 year later and then completed a final posttest. Scores were compared using paired t-tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Physicians demonstrated improved knowledge and comfort immediately after simulation. Residents maintained this improvement at 1 year. Attending physicians remained more comfortable managing these scenarios up to 1 year later; however, knowledge retention diminished with time. Repeating the simulation after 1 year brought additional improvement to physicians.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Simulation training can result in short-term and contribute to long-term improvement in objective measures of knowledge and comfort level in managing uncommon but critical obstetrical events. Repeat exposure to simulation training after 1 year can yield additional benefits.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA. mvadnais@bidmc.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Mary A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Vadnais
authors.forename: Laura E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Dodge
authors.forename: Christopher S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Awtrey
authors.forename: Hope A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Ricciotti
authors.forename: Toni H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Golen
authors.forename: Michele R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Hacker
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D019359:Knowledge; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods; D016544:Patient Simulation; D010820:Physicians / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011247:Pregnancy; D012153:Retention, Psychology / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors