Change in knowledge and preferred scenario responses after completion of the advanced life support in obstetrics course in Serbia

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics (ALSO) course is widely utilized in the United States as an evidence-based program that bridges knowledge gaps and improves skills via hands-on training, group learning, and memorization of standardized mnemonics in a teambased approach to patient care. This reduces communication barriers among maternity care providers, ultimately decreasing potential negative outcomes. A needs assessment identified that Serbian providers would benefit from structured learning and hands-on simulation approaches in obstetrics from a structured training like the ALSO course. The objective of this study was to explore the changes in clinicians’ knowledge and preferred scenario responses in managing obstetrics cases before and after participation in the ALSO course. METHODS: The ALSO training lasted 2 days and included lecture sessions, interactive workshops, a written knowledge test, and a simulated skills test. Participants completed an additional 20-item questionnaire assessing their knowledge and preferred scenario responses two weeks pre- and immediately post-ALSO training. Using a paired t-test we assessed changes between preand posttest knowledge and preferred scenario response scores. RESULTS: Twenty-seven participants provided complete data. For the entire sample, the pretest mean number of correct items on the knowledge and preferred scenario response assessment was 10.8 and the posttest mean number correct was 15.2, representing an increase of 4.4 correct answers (P<001). CONCLUSIONS: The current results suggest that the ALSO course can successfully increase knowledge and preferred scenario responses in Serbian providers and may be a viable approach to improving birth outcomes.