Additional Training with an Obstetric Simulator Improves Medical Student Comfort with Basic Procedures

Abstract

To determine if an obstetric birthing simulator can improve medical student understanding of and comfort with basic obstetric procedures. Medical students were surveyed at the end of their obstetrics rotation regarding their knowledge and comfort with basic obstetric procedures. A group of students was trained on basic procedures utilizing an obstetric simulator. Survey results were compiled and analyzed with the Mann-Whitney U test. In all, 60 untrained students and 18 simulator trained students completed surveys. Trained students were significantly more comfortable with fundal height measurements (P = 0.003), Leopold maneuvers (P < 0.001), fetal scalp electrode placement (P < 0.001), intrauterine pressure catheter placement (P < 0.001), and artificial rupture of membranes (P = 0.001) and reported better understanding of the indications for placement of a fetal scalp electrode (P = 0.01) and intrauterine pressure catheter (P = 0.03). Additional training with an obstetric simulator improved medical student self-reported comfort with and understanding of basic procedures compared with standard resident and staff-directed instruction.