Breaking Bad News in obstetrics: a randomized trial of simulation followed by debriefing or lecture.

OBJECTIVE: Although communication skills represent an increasingly important aspect of medical care, little has been done to assess the best method of teaching these skills. Our study was designed to assess simulation-debriefing compared to lecture in teaching skills for Breaking Bad News (BBN) in obstetrics. METHODS: This is a randomized prospective trial of house staff from a large academic medical center. Subjects initially underwent baseline simulation, followed by evaluation on BBN skills by themselves, a faculty observer, and the standardized patient (SP). The subjects were then immediately randomized to a debriefing session by faculty or to a lecture about BBN. Subsequently, both groups underwent a second simulation with the same three assessments, yielding post-intervention data. RESULTS: 35 subjects completed both simulations. Both debriefing and lecture curricula showed improvement in scores by self (p = 0.010) and faculty (p < 0.001). The debriefing group improved significantly more than the lecture group for self-evaluation; additionally, improvements were greater for the debrief group in verbal and nonverbal skills. Long-term follow-up three months after both interventions demonstrated continued improvement in BBN. CONCLUSIONS: Simulation training with debriefing is effective for teaching communication skills, and superior to lecture for self-perceived improvement. Long-term follow-up suggested retention of confidence in BBN skills.

Is obesity an independent barrier to obtaining prenatal care?

OBJECTIVE: Obesity is a demonstrated barrier to obtaining health care. Its impact on obtaining prenatal care (PNC) is unknown. Our objective was to determine if obesity is an independent barrier to accessing early and adequate PNC. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a retrospective cohort study of women who initiated PNC and delivered at our institution in 2005. Body mass index (BMI) was categorized by World Health Organization guidelines: underweight (<18.5 kg/m(2)), normal weight (18.5 to 24.9 kg/m(2)), overweight (25.0 to 29.9 kg/m(2)), and obese (≥30 kg/m(2)). Maternal history and delivery information were obtained through chart abstraction. Differences in gestational age at first visit (GA-1) and adequate PNC were evaluated by BMI category. Data were compared using χ(2) and nonparametric analyses. RESULTS: Overall, 410 women were evaluated. The median GA-1 was 11.1 weeks and 69% had adequate PNC. There was no difference in GA-1 or adequate PNC by BMI category (p = 0.17 and p = 0.66, respectively). When BMI groups were dichotomized into obese and nonobese women, there was no difference in GA-1 or adequate PNC (p = 0.41). CONCLUSION: In our population, obesity is not an independent barrier to receiving early and adequate PNC. Future work is warranted in evaluating the association between obesity and PNC and the perceived barriers to obtaining care.

Reproductive implications of bariatric surgery: pre- and postoperative considerations for extremely obese women of childbearing age.

Extreme obesity remains a frustrating and formidable disease, with most sufferers requiring surgical intervention in order to achieve long-term, sustained weight loss. Most bariatric procedures today are performed on women, many of whom are of reproductive age; yet minimal evidence exists to guide clinicians in the care of such women before, during, and after pregnancy. This review outlines the fundamental nutritional and surgical alterations of the most commonly performed bariatric procedures with the aim to elucidate a physiologically sound approach to counseling and management of extremely obese women of childbearing age who are either contemplating or have already undergone bariatric surgery. Preconception, pregnancy, and lactation guidelines are offered based on available evidence. Outstanding questions are highlighted for further investigation.

Re-evaluating the role of the MFM specialist: lead, follow, or get out of the way.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of sub-specialty prenatal care provided to high-risk obstetrical patients in a community perinatal center as a function of whether consultation and referral to a Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) sub-specialist was at the discretion of the generalist, required by the insurance carrier, or by patient choice. METHODS: Demographics, management, and perinatal outcomes for high-risk patients managed exclusively by MFM were compared with those managed by generalists who were later referred to MFM after problems arose. RESULTS: Despite similar demographics, high-risk patients managed exclusively by a single MFM had less prematurity, lower cesarean section rates, fewer low 5-minute Apgar scores (1.3% vs. 5.5%, p < 0.001), and lower perinatal mortality rates (8.0/1000 vs. 47.6/1000, p < 0.001) than those referred at a later date. CONCLUSIONS: In this setting, earlier MFM care resulted in better outcomes. These data suggest that the 'gatekeeper' model of generalist to MFM might be better the other way around.

Impact of folic acid fortification in the United States: markedly diminished high maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein values.

OBJECTIVE: Folic acid fortification of breads and grains was implemented in the United States in 1998 in an attempt to reduce the incidence of neural tube defects. Outcome data from birth registries have shown a 20% drop-less than originally predicted. In this study, we ascertain if the impact of folic acid fortification is better seen at the time of midtrimester prenatal diagnosis by looking at incidence of high maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) values. METHODS: Data regarding MSAFP levels in 61,119 patients undergoing maternal serum screening at a large commercial laboratory were categorized by multiples of the median (MoM). The data were compared between 2 groups: before mandatory supplementation in the United States in 1997 and after mandatory supplementation in 2000. High MSAFP values were further categorized as high (2.75-4.00 MoM) or very high (more than 4.00 MoM). Data were analyzed by chi(2) analysis. RESULTS: Comparative data showed a 32% decrease of patients with MoM greater than 2.75 + (2.5% -1.7%). Further categorizations revealed similar decreases. CONCLUSION: The introduction of folic acid fortification has produced a profound decrease in the number of high MSAFP values, reflective of a decreased incidence of neural tube defects. Our results help to validate the decision to fortify food with folic acid, which represents a highly successful public health policy for primary prevention of birth defects. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-2