Evaluation and impact of cardiotocography training programmes: a systematic review

TY - JOUR

T1 - Evaluation and impact of cardiotocography training programmes

T2 - a systematic review

AU - Pehrson, C

AU - Sørensen, Jette Led

AU - Amer-Wåhlin, I

N1 - © 2011 The Authors BJOG An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology © 2011 RCOG.

PY - 2011/7

Y1 - 2011/7

N2 - Background: The interpretation and management of cardiotocography (CTG) tracings are often criticised in obstetric malpractice cases. As a consequence, regular CTG training has been recommended, even though little is known about the effect of CTG training. Objectives: To perform a systematic review of the existing literature on studies on CTG training in order to assess educational strategies, evaluation of training programmes, and impact of training programmes. Search strategy: The Medline database was searched to identify studies describing and/or evaluating CTG training programmes. The literature search resulted in 409 citations. Selection criteria: Twenty studies describing and evaluating CTG training programmes were included. There was no restriction on study design. Data collection and analysis: Data regarding study design, study quality, educational strategies used for training in CTG interpretation and decision making, target groups, number of participants, methods used for evaluation, quality of evaluation, level of evaluation and results of training was extracted from 20 articles, and analysed using Kirkpatrick's four-level model for the evaluation of education. Main results: Training was associated with improvements on all Kirkpatrick levels, resulting in increased CTG knowledge and interpretive skills, higher interobserver agreement, better management of intrapartum CTG, and improved quality of care. Computer-based training (CBT) might be less time-consuming than classroom teaching. Clinical skills seem to decrease faster than theoretical knowledge. Author's conclusions: Training can improve CTG competence and clinical practise. Further research on CBT, test-enhanced learning and long-term retention, evaluation of training and impact on clinical outcomes is recommended.

AB - Background: The interpretation and management of cardiotocography (CTG) tracings are often criticised in obstetric malpractice cases. As a consequence, regular CTG training has been recommended, even though little is known about the effect of CTG training. Objectives: To perform a systematic review of the existing literature on studies on CTG training in order to assess educational strategies, evaluation of training programmes, and impact of training programmes. Search strategy: The Medline database was searched to identify studies describing and/or evaluating CTG training programmes. The literature search resulted in 409 citations. Selection criteria: Twenty studies describing and evaluating CTG training programmes were included. There was no restriction on study design. Data collection and analysis: Data regarding study design, study quality, educational strategies used for training in CTG interpretation and decision making, target groups, number of participants, methods used for evaluation, quality of evaluation, level of evaluation and results of training was extracted from 20 articles, and analysed using Kirkpatrick's four-level model for the evaluation of education. Main results: Training was associated with improvements on all Kirkpatrick levels, resulting in increased CTG knowledge and interpretive skills, higher interobserver agreement, better management of intrapartum CTG, and improved quality of care. Computer-based training (CBT) might be less time-consuming than classroom teaching. Clinical skills seem to decrease faster than theoretical knowledge. Author's conclusions: Training can improve CTG competence and clinical practise. Further research on CBT, test-enhanced learning and long-term retention, evaluation of training and impact on clinical outcomes is recommended.

KW - Cardiotocography

KW - Clinical Competence

KW - Education, Medical, Continuing

KW - Evidence-Based Medicine

KW - Female

KW - Fetal Monitoring

KW - Humans

KW - Pregnancy

KW - Pregnancy Outcome

KW - Program Evaluation

KW - Research Design

KW - Teaching

KW - United States

U2 - 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2011.03021.x

DO - 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2011.03021.x

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 21658193

SN - 0140-7686

VL - 118

SP - 926

EP - 935

JO - British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Supplement

JF - British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Supplement

IS - 8

ER -