Abstract

Background: Patient safety, cultural competency, and risk management are essential topics for all Obstetrics providers and learners. Objective: Our objective is to evaluate internet-based learning for OB/GYN healthcare providers in areas of cultural competency, risk management, and patient safety. Study Design: Paired, uncontrolled before-after intervention pilot study of medical students, nurses, resident, and attending physicians caring for patients on Labor and Delivery. Seventy-five participants completed the pre-test, 44 completed the posttest, and 36 completed all portions of the study over 3 months with an anonymous link. The pre-test consisted of the Tucker Culturally Sensitive Health Care Inventory (TCSHCI) and a demographic information questionnaire. Subjects then watched 5 videotaped internet lectures by regional experts in areas of Patient Safety, Risk Management, and Cultural Competency, and then were reassessed with the TCSHCI, the primary outcome. Information was collected regarding secondary outcomes including patient safety markers on the Labor and Delivery Unit, and results of the Patient Satisfaction Survey from Press GaneyÒ. Power calculations were not performed due to the pilot nature of the study. Results: TCSHCI scores remained unchanged throughout this pilot study with mean score pre-test 3.26 (95% CI 2.61-3.89) versus post-test score 3.33 (95% CI 2.77-3.90), p=0.21. Patient safety outcomes and patient satisfaction scores on Press GaneyÒ Surveys showed no statistically significant difference for all participants or for paired, matched participants. Conclusion: An internet-based educational intervention for Labor and Delivery healthcare providers resulted in no measured improvement in areas of patient safety, risk management, and cultural competency.