Multi-Center Survey of Medicine Residents and Self-Assessment on Cardiac Complications in Obstetric Patients

Internal medicine (IM) residents receive significant cardiology training, and previous surveys have evaluated IM resident competency on obstetric (OB)-related subjects. However, there is minimal literature on self-reported competence of cardiac-specific complications in OB patients. Our study assessed self-reported comfort and competency regarding cardiovascular complications in OB patients with medical residents across several specialties.

We surveyed 207 residents across 3 specialties and 3 teaching hospitals on 10 questions regarding their self-reported confidence in managing cardiovascular complications in OB patients, including practice setting, specific cardiac issues, and stages of labor. We received 42 responses. Results were obtained using Google Sheets and analyzed with Microsoft Excel.

Internal medicine residents reported being less confident in managing cardiac complications in OB patients compared to family medicine (FM) and obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN) residents across all categories. PGY3 IM residents rated themselves on par with FM/OB residents in the ICU setting. The presence of OB services in the hospital did not affect IM resident self-assessment.

Internal medicine residents demonstrated low self-assessment scores regarding confidence managing cardiac conditions in OB patients. There may be opportunities to introduce specific OB-related teaching material to increase confidence.