Resident perception of obstetrics and gynecology residency breast disease curriculum: a national study.

BACKGROUND: As part of the education objectives in obstetrics and gynecology residency programs, the Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology includes benign breast disease and breast cancer screening, diagnosis, and management. However, obstetrics and gynecology residency curricula vary highly in their focus on this subject. The comfort level of the average obstetrics and gynecology resident in the United States in managing breast disease is unknown. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the perspective of obstetrics and gynecology residents in the United States on their education and training in breast disease. STUDY DESIGN: An 18-question survey was distributed to all Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education program coordinators to distribute to their residents collect demographic information, training environment, and perspective on breast disease education. All statistical analysis was performed using SPSS (version 2.0; IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY). RESULTS: The survey was distributed to 241 programs, and a response was received from 28 programs (a program response rate of 12.0%). Based on the programs' response, there was a total of 582 eligible residents, and the survey was completed by 180 residents (a response rate of 31.0%). Of all responses, 121 residents (67.2%) did not have a dedicated breast disease rotation or clinical time. Most residents were uncomfortable with their education, training, and ability to manage benign breast disease (mean of 4.14 on a scale of 1-10). Most residents desired additional dedicated time to breast education during their obstetrics and gynecology training. The only variable associated with an improved resident comfort level for the management of breast disease was dedicated clinical time (relative risk [RR], 2.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.04-1.45; P=.04). CONCLUSION: Obstetrics and gynecology residency programs should consider adding dedicated clinical time to breast disease to increase their residents' comfort with breast disease management.

The Association between Solo versus Group Obstetrical Practice Model and Delivery Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if women under the care of obstetricians in solo practice have different delivery outcomes from women in a group practice. STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective cohort of live, term, singleton, vertex (LTSV) deliveries at one hospital from 2011 to 2015. We compared outcomes between women whose obstetrician was in solo practice with women in a group practice model. RESULTS: There were 18,214 LTSV deliveries by private obstetricians. Solo obstetricians were more likely to deliver at night (41.0 vs. 37.5%, p = 0.002) and less likely to induce labor (22.6 vs. 30.6%, p < 0.001). Solo obstetricians had a significantly higher rate of cesarean delivery (35.7 vs. 27.2%, adjusted odds ratio, aOR: 1.53, 95% confidence interval, CI [1.32, 1.78]), but also had a significantly lower rate of shoulder dystocia (0.4 vs. 1.4, aOR: 0.42, 95% CI [0.19, 0.89]), third or fourth degree lacerations (1.6 vs. 2.4%, aOR: 0.56, 95% CI [0.35, 0.914]), and neonatal intensive care unit admission rates (3.2 vs. 6.2%, aOR: 0.57, 95% CI [0.42, 0.77]). CONCLUSION: In a large, tertiary care hospital, solo obstetricians have similar neonatal outcomes as group obstetricians. Their higher cesarean delivery rate is balanced by fewer shoulder dystocias and third/fourth degree lacerations, indicating a more conservative approach to labor management. Patient outcomes should not be a reason to discourage a solo practice model.

Association Between Senior Obstetrician Supervision of Resident Deliveries and Mode of Delivery.

OBJECTIVE: In December 2012, the Mount Sinai Hospital implemented a program to have senior obstetricians (more than 20 years of experience) supervise residents on labor and delivery during the daytime. The objective of this study was to estimate the association of resident supervision by senior obstetricians with mode of delivery. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of all resident deliveries at Mount Sinai from July 2011 to June 2015. We included all patients with live, term, singleton, vertex fetuses. We compared delivery outcomes between patients delivered before December 2012 and patients delivered December 2012 and later using logistic regression analysis to control for age, body mass index, parity, induction, and prior cesarean delivery. During the study period there were no other specific departmental initiatives to increase forceps deliveries aside from having six obstetricians with significant experience in operative deliveries supervise and teach residents on labor and delivery. RESULTS: There were 5,201 live, term, singleton, vertex deliveries under the care of residents, 1,919 (36.9%) before December 2012 and 3,282 (63.1%) December 2012 or later. The rate of forceps deliveries significantly increased from 0.6% to 2.6% (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 8.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.1-23.1), and the rate of cesarean deliveries significantly decreased from 27.3% to 24.5% (adjusted OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.55-0.83). There were no statistically significant differences in the rates of third- or fourth-degree lacerations or 5-minute Apgar scores less than 7. Among nulliparous women, the forceps rate increased from 1.0% to 3.4% (adjusted OR 4.87, 95% CI 1.74-13.63) and the cesarean delivery rate decreased from 25.6% to 22.7% (adjusted OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.53-0.89). The increase in forceps deliveries and the decrease in cesarean deliveries were seen only in daytime hours (7 AM to 7 PM), that is, the shift that was covered by senior obstetricians. CONCLUSION: Having senior obstetricians supervise resident deliveries is significantly associated with an increased rate of forceps deliveries and a decreased rate of cesarean deliveries.

Human Embryo Morphokinetics Correlation with Obstetric Outcomes and Antepartum Biomarkers.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the correlation between em-bryo morphology and antepartum biomarker levels and obstetric outcomes following single embryo transfers (SETs). STUDY DESIGN: In vitro fertilization patients who delivered at the study site's partnering hospital were included. Embryo morphology was compared to antepartum biomarkers and pregnancy outcomes. RESULTS: At a single academic reproductive endocrinology/infertility center, 2,882 SETs (day 3, 5, or 6) were performed from July 1, 2001, to June 30, 2013. Embryologic, serologic, and obstetric outcomes were available for 78 patients (cleavage [n=23]; blastocyst [n=55]). Embryos with a lower quality inner cell mass (ICM) demonstrated higher second trimester maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) (p=0.0241) and AFP multiple of median (MoM) (p= 0.0036). After adjusting for age, body mass index, parity, and smoking status, this statistical significance remained (p=0.0319 for AFP; p=0.0026 for AFP MoM). CONCLUSION: Embryo morphokinetics did not correlate with perinatal outcome or a majority of placental biomarkers. A low ICM score was associated with higher second trimester maternal serum AFP values. This warrants further investigation, especially due to the risks of potential adverse obstetric outcomes associated with high AFP levels. Despite these findings, no difference in obstetric outcomes between low and high ICM scores was observed after controlling for maternal confounding variables. Patients should be reassured that embryo implantation, regardless of morphological score, results in similar obstetric outcomes.

The lifestyle modification project: limiting pregnancy weight gain in obese women.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of a group lifestyle intervention on gestational weight gain in a cohort of obese pregnant women. METHODS: A cohort study comparing 60 pregnant women enrolled in an educational intervention with controls from the same institution who receive routine prenatal care. Subjects were matched with controls by pre-pregnancy body mass index, parity and ethnicity. Subjects participated in group and individual counseling sessions focused on diet, exercise and weight goals. The primary outcome was gestational weight gain. RESULTS: A greater number of patients in the intervention group met the Institute of Medicine weight gain recommendations (35 versus 24, p = 0.0446). Mean gestational weight gain of participants was lower than the control group, but this was not statistically significant. Number of sessions attended was associated with a decrease in total weight gained. CONCLUSION: Educational interventions targeting obese pregnant women may be an effective way to limit gestational weight gain. Participation in educational sessions likely influences total weight gain.

Breastfeeding and delivery room neonatal collapse.

Sudden unexpected neonatal collapse in the delivery room is a rare occurrence in healthy term infants. Upper airway obstruction may occur from improper positioning of the newborn even while breastfeeding. Such occlusion may have dire consequences if not recognized immediately. We report 2 healthy term neonates who suffered respiratory arrest while in the mother's arms and attempting breastfeeding. In each case, rapid response by the delivery room nurse averted tragedy. Metabolic and infectious evaluations were unremarkable. Both babies have been well on subsequent examinations. We conclude that proper education of mothers and safe positioning of neonates is critical during the initiation of breastfeeding.

Toward a better understanding of gender-based performance in the obstetrics and gynecology clerkship: women outscore men on the NBME subject examination at one medical school.

PURPOSE: To better understand why women outperform men in the obstetrics and gynecology (Ob/Gyn) clerkship. METHOD: The authors conducted a retrospective cohort study of students who rotated in the Ob/Gyn clerkship from 2008 to 2011 and graduated by May 2012 from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. They compared female and male students' performance on preclerkship standardized tests (the Medical College Admission Test [MCAT] and United States Medical Licensing Examination [USMLE] Step 1) and on Ob/Gyn clerkship components (clinical skills achievement, oral and written case presentations, clinical evaluations, and National Board of Medical Examiners [NBME] subject examination). RESULTS: The study included 163 (53.4%) women and 142 (46.6%) men. Among students who took the MCAT, women scored lower than men with a mean (standard deviation) of 33.2 (3.2) versus 34.6 (3.3) (P=.001). Similarly, among all students, women scored lower than men on the USMLE Step 1: 227 (19.1) versus 232.5 (18.8) (P=.012). There were no significant gender differences on most clerkship components. However, women scored higher than men on the Ob/Gyn NBME subject examination: 78.0 (7.5) versus 74.8 (8.4) (P=.001). Consequently, female students achieved higher overall clerkship scores than men: 88.5 (5.6) versus 87.1 (5.1) (P=.024). Analysis of covariance confirmed that gender is associated with NBME subject examination score (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Women outscored men on the NBME subject examination in Ob/Gyn and thereby outperformed men in the Ob/Gyn clerkship.

The sequential effect of computerized delivery charting and simulation training on shoulder dystocia documentation.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the effects of computerized charting and shoulder dystocia (SD) simulation drills on the documentation of SD. METHODS: 180 cases of SD were evaluated in three consecutive time periods: T1: 45 written delivery notes; T2: 48 delivery notes after the implementation of a standardized SD note in the computerized medical record; T3: 87 computerized delivery notes after SD simulation drills. RESULTS: A standardized SD computerized note resulted in a significant improvement in documentation of EFW, diabetic status, time of the body delivery, fetal head position, which shoulder was impacted, anesthesia, the length of each stage of labor, NICU admission, the birth weight, and that a discussion took place with the patient. The implementation of a SD simulation drill was associated with a further increase in the documentation of the instruments used for delivery, whether a cord pH was performed, and that a discussion took place with the patient. Additionally, the implementation of a SD simulation drill increased the rate of documented SD (1.61% vs. 2.37% of vaginal deliveries, p = 0.0275) and the number of obstetricians who documented a SD (32.35% vs. 60.29% of delivering obstetricians, p = 0.0020). CONCLUSIONS: Standardized SD notes as well as simulation drills improve documentation of SD events.

Lifestyle modification program decreases pregnancy weight gain in obese women.

We assessed the impact of a lifestyle modification program (LMP) on weight gain in pregnancy and evaluated its effect on adverse pregnancy outcomes. A prospective matched controlled study design was employed. Inclusion criteria consisted of pregnant women with singleton gestations and body mass index (BMI) > or = 30 without underlying medical conditions. In the study group, patients were prospectively enrolled in the first trimester. Through the LMP, women participated in a comprehensive program on nutrition, exercise, and weight control in pregnancy. The control group consisted of matched patients by starting BMI, parity, and socioeconomic status during the same study period cared for at the same institution. The primary outcome evaluated was weight gain in pregnancy. Adverse pregnancy outcomes including preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, and various postpartum complications were evaluated between the two groups. Statistical analysis was performed using nonparametric methods, with p < 0.5 considered significant. Twenty-eight patients were recruited for this study and underwent the intervention. Patient compliance with the LMP was 75%, two patients were lost to follow-up, one had a preterm delivery, and four had incomplete data due to various reasons. Twenty-one patients completed their pregnancy and were available for analysis. Twenty matched control patients were identified for analysis. Study participants gained significantly less weight in their pregnancies when compared with controls (mean weight gain 17 versus 34 pounds, respectively; p = 0.008). Secondary outcomes of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, cesarean section, as well as infant birth weight did not significantly differ between the groups. This study suggests an effective method of reducing prenatal weight gain in the obese population. This type of comprehensive intervention could be an important, cost-effective risk-reduction strategy.

The effect of sleep deprivation on fine motor coordination in obstetrics and gynecology residents.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of acute sleep deprivation on the fine motor coordination in obstetrics and gynecology residents. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty-eight obstetrics and gynecology residents completed a series of tasks using the Purdue pegboard standardized protocol for testing fine motor coordination both before and after a 24-hour call. RESULTS: Twenty-three participants were women and 5 were men. There was a learning curve demonstrated for performance of the tasks. There was a statistically significant decline in performance of residents after overnight call. When adjusting for the learning curve, effects of sleep deprivation were magnified for all tasks: right (dominant) hand (P = .0005), left hand (P = .0020), both hands (P < .0001), and assembly (P < .0001). There were significant differences in performance when segregated by year of training and sex; female residents appeared to tolerate better lack of sleep. CONCLUSION: Acute sleep deprivation has a deleterious effect on fine motor coordination in this group of obstetrics and gynecology residents.