The impact of a computer assisted learning programme on the ability to interpret cardiotochography. A before and after study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate if a computer assisted learning programme could bring about a higher degree of individuals who correctly classified cardiotochography (CTG) recordings in a non-selected population of midwives and physicians.


METHODS
A before and after study.


METHODS
Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden.


METHODS
One hundred and thirty midwives and 49 physicians at the maternity unit, September 2009-April 2010. A computer assisted learning programme for interpreting CTG patterns has been created. All 179 individuals included made the first interpretation and the 135 individuals also completing the education made the second interpretation. A third randomly selected interpretation was performed immediately following the second; permitting two participants to classify a CTG together. Comparison between the before and after-test was based on the Fisher exact test.


METHODS
The proportion of individuals who correctly classified CTGs before and after the training.


RESULTS
Sixty four percentage of the individuals classified the CTGs correctly before and 66% after the training (P=0.76). There was no difference between the two professional groups. Normal CTGs were correctly identified by 36% of the individuals before and in 80% after the training (P=0.065). Corresponding figures for pathological CTGs were 83% and 85% (P=1.00), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
We found no improvement in the proportion of individuals who classified CTGs correctly after the completion of a computer assisted learning programme in fetal monitoring. The baseline level of competence was higher than expected.
Karolinska Institutet, Department of Clinical Science and Education, Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Södersjukhuset, S-118 83 Stockholm, Sweden. charlotte.millde-luthander@sodersjukhuset.se
C
C
Millde-Luthander
U
U
Högberg
M E
ME
Nyström
H
H
Pettersson
I
I
Wiklund
C
C
Grunewald
D015148:Cardiotocography; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D004496:Education, Continuing / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008880:Midwifery / Q000193:education*; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000193:education*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013548:Sweden