Obstetrical transfusion medicine knowledge among faculty and trainee obstetricians: a prospective knowledge assessment study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the current state of transfusion medicine (TM) knowledge among obstetricians using a valid assessment tool.


BACKGROUND
Transfusion issues are common in obstetrical patients.


METHODS
Knowledge topics were identified and rated by experts in obstetrics, anaesthesia, haematology and TM using a modified Delphi method. A knowledge assessment tool was developed and validated during pilot testing. The assessment tool, consisting of 15 multiple choice questions, was administered electronically to members of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC).


RESULTS
A total of 192 SOGC members completed the assessment tool: 121 faculty obstetricians and 71 trainees. The average score was 65·8% ± 15·5. Scores for faculty were higher than trainees (68·9% ± 13·5 vs 60·6% ± 17·2; P < 0·001). Respondents performed well on questions related to red blood cell (RBC) transfusion and anaemia management but had lower scores on questions related to non-RBC transfusion and management of alloantibodies and fetomaternal haemorrhage (FMH) testing. There was no improvement in scores with increasing trainee level, years of practice, hours of formal TM training or experience with massive haemorrhage. Only self-rated knowledge was associated with scores ['no knowledge' or 'beginner' 63·1% ± 15 vs 'intermediate' or 'advanced' 68·9% ± 13·3 (P = 0·007)]. Of the respondents, 93·8% felt additional training in TM would be helpful.


CONCLUSIONS
Overall knowledge assessment scores indicate the need for educational intervention, particularly with respect to non-RBC blood product use, management of FMH and management of pregnancies complicated by alloantibodies. The study also demonstrated a desire for additional TM training.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Health Sciences North, Sudbury, Canada.
S
S
Morris
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Michael's Hospital and University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
M H
MH
Yudin
Department of Clinical Pathology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada.|Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
J
J
Callum
Department of Anesthesia, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
A
A
Alam
Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
J
J
Herold
Department of Clinical Pathology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada.|Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
Y
Y
Lin
D016913:Blood Component Transfusion; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D005260:Female; D005331:Fetomaternal Transfusion / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000193:education*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies
knowledge assessment tool; medical education; obstetrics; transfusion