Utility of a Simulation-Based Mastery Learning Curriculum for Teaching Labor and Delivery Procedures

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Medical Education
• Surgical Simulation

Background:

• Mastering obstetric procedural skills is challenging due to the need for tactile anatomy understanding and real-time performance without direct coach visualization.
• Simulation-based mastery learning (SBML) offers a risk-free environment for learners to achieve predefined skill standards before patient care.
• The DELIVER SBML curriculum aims to address these challenges in graduate medical education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the utility of the DELIVER SBML curriculum in enhancing graduate medical education learners' knowledge and comfort with independent obstetric procedural skills.
• To assess the impact of SBML on the acquisition of critical obstetric skills.

Main Methods:

• A prospective cohort study was conducted involving 11 graduate medical education learners.
• Learners participated in the DELIVER SBML curriculum, which included training in membrane rupture, cervical exams, fetal scalp electrode (FSE) placement, and intrauterine pressure catheter (IUPC) placement.
• Knowledge was assessed via written tests, and comfort with independent performance was measured using a 5-point Likert scale before and after the SBML curriculum.

Main Results:

• All 11 learners successfully completed the curriculum and demonstrated proficiency in the targeted obstetric procedures.
• Written knowledge assessment scores showed no statistically significant difference pre- and post-SBML (median 9/10, p=0.102).
• Learners reported a significant increase in comfort with independently performing obstetric procedural skills (median pre-SBML: 1/5 Strongly Disagree; post-SBML: 4/5 Agree, p=0.014).

Conclusions:

• The DELIVER SBML curriculum significantly enhances graduate medical learners' perceived readiness and comfort for independent obstetric procedural skill performance.
• While SBML did not significantly improve written knowledge assessment scores, it positively impacted learners' self-reported confidence.
• SBML is a valuable educational strategy for developing competence and confidence in essential obstetric procedures within a safe, simulated environment.