Background: No published studies have evaluated the best method of teaching FHR interpretation. The PALM has been shown to improve learning in skills which require pattern recognition.
Methods: All subjects underwent a pretest and received a basic FHR physiology lecture. The subjects were then either exposed to the PALM or to additional lecture time reviewing the details of FHR categorization. All subjects then took a posttest, delayed test six weeks later, and survey.
Results: 16 subjects completed the PALM module and 19 were assigned to additional lecture. Only the PALM showed significant improvement in accuracy and fluency from the pretest to posttest (accuracy 35% vs 71%, p < 0.05; fluency 27% vs 65%, p < 0.05). Both interventions showed significant improvement in accuracy and fluency on the delayed test reflecting learning throughout the rotation. However, the PALM showed a significantly greater improvement as compared to the lecture group in both the posttest (accuracy 71% vs 47%, p < 0.05; fluency 65% vs 31%, p < 0.05) and the delayed test (fluency 58% vs 41%, p=0.05).
Discussions: The PALM resulted in more accurate and fluent categorization of FHR tracings compared to traditional lecture methods, and the effect persisted on delayed testing.
Keywords: Simulation, Students, Obstetrics
Topics: CREOG & APGO Annual Meeting, 2016, Student, Resident, Faculty, Clerkship Director, Residency Director, Patient Care, Medical Knowledge, GME, UME, Virtual Patient, Simulation, Independent Study, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, General Ob-Gyn,
Melissa Wong, MD, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center; Sally Krasne, PhD
