Obstetric hemorrhage and surgical emergencies training workshops on fresh cadavers and simulators result in high application in daily practices and decreased patient referral

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of obstetric emergencies workshops combining theoretical lectures, simulation trainers and fresh cadaver models on daily practices and referrals of obstetrics and gynecology specialists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective observational study involving obstetrics and gynecology specialists attending the Turkish Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology endorsed obstetrics hemorrhage management courses held in 2018 and 2019. The training course is an annually organized two-day course, one day allotted to theoretical lectures and the other day to practical training on both simulators and fresh cadavers. Trainees participating in the course was surveyed with an anonymous questionnaire on their motivation to attend the course and their juridical history of obstetric patient management. Attendees were asked to disclose whether they had ever independently performed the procedures stated in the questionnaire or not, before commencing the course and 1 year after attending the course. RESULTS: Among the attendees 22% (n=32) had at least one obstetrical malpractice lawsuit and 36.1% (n=52) were accused of Health Care Complaints Comission. The main motivation of the attendees for taking this course was Professional development followed by reducing maternal mortality and morbidity and avoiding malpractice. One year after the course, attendees applying uterine devascularization surgery increased by 36.1% (52/144), uterine compression sutures increased by 52.7% (76/144), and ability to apply uterine balloon tamponade increased by 59.7% (86/144). Besides improvement in other obstetric surgical skills an indirect effect seen that the attandees operated on high-risk cases increased in placenta previa (15.3%), placenta acreata spectrum (30.5%), operative deliveries (27.7%), peripartum hysterectomy (24.9%) and relaparotomy for postpartum hemorrhage (34.7%). CONCLUSION: Opportunities of attending well organized fresh cadaveric workshops on managing postpartum hemorrhage and other obstetric surgeries, can quickly adapt to daily practice, restore the professional confidence of obstetric and gynecology specialists, and eventually decrease patient referral.