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Successful Implementation of a Medical Student Postpartum Follow-Up Phone Call Project
Purpose: To evaluate outcomes of a medical student-driven postpartum follow-up phone call project and its effect on student confidence in management of postpartum issues
Background: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends prompt postpartum follow-up. However, forty percent of women do not attend postpartum visits. These rates are lower in populations with limited resources. Given lockdown measures during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, a further decrease in this percentage was predicted. In response, the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences in the Mount Sinai Hospital Health System in New York City created a medical student-driven postpartum follow-up phone call project conducted at three health system hospitals from April 6 to May 29, 2020.
Methods: Number of patients contacted within 72 hours of hospital discharge was recorded. Medical students who completed the third-year Obstetrics and Gynecology clerkship participated. They completed questionnaires at project beginning and end regarding confidence in managing pain and abnormal uterine bleeding, screening for preeclampsia and depression and counseling on contraception, breastfeeding and newborn care. Confidence level was based on 1-5 Likert scale (5 being very confident).
Results: 382 patients were contacted. 9 students participated. Knowledge on postpartum management significantly increased from 2.2 to 3.7 (p < 0.001) before versus after project involvement.
Discussions: Our medical student-driven postpartum follow-up phone call project was associated with a high number of patients called and detection of postpartum issues not noted on hospital discharge. Students’ confidence in managing postpartum issues was significantly higher after versus before project participation.
Topics:
CREOG & APGO Annual Meeting, 2021, Student, Faculty, Clerkship Director, Patient Care, Medical Knowledge, Interpersonal & Communication Skills, UME, Public Health, Advocacy, General Ob-Gyn,