PRECIS: Evaluation of a simulation model and didactic training session for the education of ACGME residents in trigger point injections for myofascial abdominal pain in chronic pelvic pain patients.
PURPOSE: To test a training module for the education of abdominal trigger point injections
BACKGROUND: For the treatment of chronic abdominal and pelvic pain, training in interventions is lacking among trainees at the residency level. One very effective and simple intervention is abdominal trigger point injections for the treatment of abdominal myofascial pain syndrome, present in 74% of women in chronic pelvic pain practices.
METHODS: This study evaluates an abdominal trigger point teaching model for the training of USMLE OBGYN residency level physicians, containing a multimedia didactic presentation and a gelatin-based abdominal wall injection model. Participants completed a 10-item knowledge pre- test and an 8-item participant experience questionnaire gauging prior knowledge and experience with myofascial pain syndrome and abdominal trigger point injections. After 5 minutes of unsupervised time with the gelatin model, a 30-minute scripted didactic session was given, participants interacted post-training with the simulation model, and a post-test was completed.
RESULTS: Trainees improved from pre-test (48%) to post-test scores (90%) and reported increasing confidence levels on a 5-point Likert scale from 1.67 pre-test to 3.7 post-test. Ninety percent of participants agreed or strongly agreed that this exercise would result in them using abdominal trigger points in their own practice.
DISCUSSION: A simple educational tool containing a short didactic educational module and gelatin simulation model increases knowledge, confidence level and the likelihood of USMLE OBGYN residents to use trigger point injections in the treatment of chronic pelvic pain.
Topics: SES, 2020, Resident, Faculty, Patient Care, Medical Knowledge, Practice-Based Learning & Improvement, GME, CME, Assessment, Simulation, Lecture, Gynecologic Oncology, Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, General Ob-Gyn,
