Comparison Study of ALSO ® Trained and Traditionally Trained OB-GYN and Family Medicine Residents in Shoulder Dystocia

Introduction: Obstetrics is a high risk specialty. The cephalic presentation vaginal delivery complicated by shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency commonly encountered. This study compares shoulder dystocia resolution edu- cational and manual skills of Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB-GYN) and Family Medicine (FM) residents following com- pletion of Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics (ALSO ® ) trained vs. a group of OB-GYN and FM residents untrained in ALSO but trained in traditional means in a traditional residency to manage shoulder dystocia. Materials and Methods: Shoulder dystocia resolution skills taught in simulation using pelvic and fetal manikins were tested in Family Medicine and OB-GYN residencies who were ALSO ® trained, and they were retested for the purpose of this study 6 months after their training. The same testing, using the same checklist, was done for traditionally trained OB- GYN and Family Medicine residents (who had not been exposed to the ALSO® training) by the same instructor, using the same checklist. Results: The mean score of all (FM & OB-GYN) who had taken the course six months before testing was statistically higher than those in traditional OB-GYN and FM training who had not (p < 0.0001). Discussion/Conclusions: Performance scores of simulation-trained Family Medicine and OB-GYN residents in resolving shoulder dystocia was higher 6 months after training compared to a group of OB-GYN and Family Medicine residents from traditional residencies not trained in shoulder dystocia resolution. This may have implications for patient safety.