The SAFE-OB course significantly improved anaesthesia providers' mean MCQ scores from 80.3% to 85.4% (P<0.0001) and skills test scores from 56.5% to 83.2% (P<0.0001), sustained at 3-11 months.
Cohort (n=149)
Yes
Does the SAFE-OB course improve knowledge, skills, and confidence in anaesthesia providers in Ethiopia?
The SAFE-OB course provides sustained improvements in knowledge, skills, and confidence among obstetric anaesthesia providers in Ethiopia.
Absolute Event Rate: 85.4% vs 80.3%
p-value: p=<0.0001
Summary Reducing maternal mortality remains a global priority, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The Safer Anaesthesia from Education (SAFE) Obstetric Anaesthesia (OB) course is a three-day refresher course for trained anaesthesia providers addressing common causes of maternal mortality in LMICs. This aim of this study was to investigate the impact of SAFE training for a cohort of anaesthesia providers in Ethiopia. We conducted a mixed methods longitudinal cohort study incorporating a behavioural questionnaire, multiple-choice questionnaires (MCQs), structured observational skills tests and structured interviews for anaesthesia providers who attended one of four SAFE-OB courses conducted in two regions of Ethiopia from October 2017 to May 2018. Some 149 participants from 60 facilities attended training. Behavioural questionnaires were completed at baseline ( n = 101, 69% response rate). Pre- and post-course MCQs ( n = 121, n = 123 respectively) and pre- and post-course skills tests ( n = 123, n = 105 respectively) were completed, with repeat MCQ and skills tests, and semi-structured interviews completed at follow-up ( n = 88, n = 76, n = 49 respectively). The mean MCQ scores for all participants improved from 80.3% prior to training to 85.4% following training ( P < 0.0001) and skills test scores improved from 56.5% to 83.2% ( P < 0.0001). Improvements in MCQs and skills were maintained at follow-up 3–11 months post-training compared to baseline ( P = 0.0006, < 0.0001 respectively). Participants reported improved confidence, teamwork and communication at follow-up. This study suggests that the SAFE-OB course can have a sustained impact on knowledge and skills and can improve the confidence of anaesthesia providers and communication within surgical teams.
Jn et al. (Wed,) conducted a cohort in Obstetric Anaesthesia training (n=149). Safer Anaesthesia from Education (SAFE) Obstetric Anaesthesia (OB) course vs. Baseline (pre-course) was evaluated on Multiple-choice questionnaire (MCQ) scores (p=<0.0001). The SAFE-OB course significantly improved anaesthesia providers' mean MCQ scores from 80.3% to 85.4% (P<0.0001) and skills test scores from 56.5% to 83.2% (P<0.0001), sustained at 3-11 months.