Formal training in cardiotocograph interpretation of healthcare practitioners improves interpretation: A prospective...

To evaluate the effect of structured training on the cardiotocograph (CTG) interpretation skills of healthcare workers (HCWs) involved in obstetric care in a recourse constrained setting.

In all, 218 HCWs completed pre- and post-intervention questionnaires. The intervention involved structured teaching on technical aspects of CTG monitoring, fetal physiology, and adaptation to stress, and a holistic approach to interpretation. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize demographic characteristics, frequencies, and percentages for categorical data.

Only 26.2% of participants felt that their pre-graduate training was adequate; this was reflected by the poor baseline knowledge in CTG interpretation (56% misinterpreted) and lack of knowledge regarding technical aspects of CTG monitoring in 48.8% of participants. The training session led to a 65% improvement in technical aspects and interpretation. Those HCWs not receiving continuous training showed a more significant improvement (P  < 0.001) and there was a 100% improvement in knowledge regarding the required documentation before commencing monitoring. Most (99.5%) HCWs acknowledged an improvement in knowledge, and 96.2% would participate in similar mandatory education sessions.

These findings highlight the fact that training in CTG monitoring is warranted and desired by HCWs. It also supports the implementation of structured CTG education in resource-constrained settings.