BACKGROUND: Simulation medicine is no longer just a modern trend and has become a standard part of education and training of the medical staff and students in many countries around the world. Its validity and benefits have been acknowledged and its necessity is reflected in the recommendations of the European Board and College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of our work was to map the current state of simulation training at large obstetrics and gynaecology departments in the Czech Republic including the equipment available, teaching environment conditions and human resources and to find out to what extent individual teaching methods are being used in undergraduate and postgraduate education.
METHODS: We have collected the information using a questionnaire which focused on the equipment available to the departments, teaching environment conditions, human resources, and types of simulation methods being used in undergraduate and postgraduate training as well as the spectrum of courses being offered.
CONCLUSIONS: Our finding is that large obstetrics and gynaecology departments in the Czech Republic are well equipped, have good teaching environments available to them, and are able to use most of the current simulation teaching methods. On the other hand, except for an operative vaginal birth course, only a small number of other simulation courses are currently being offered. Data from the survey are further used to discuss the possibilities of developing simulation training in this field in the Czech Republic.

OBJECTIVE: The Indonesian Healthcare Program starting in 2014 enabled access to healthcare delivery for large population groups. Guidance of usage, infrastructure and healthcare process development were the most challenging tasks during the implementation period. Due to the high social impact obstetric care and related quality assurance require evidence-based developmental strategies. This study aims for analysis of outcome and maternal health care utilization, as well as differences related to demographic and economic subgroups.
METHODS: For univariate group comparison ANOVA method was applied and combined with Scheffé procedure and Bonferoni correction for post-hoc tests. Meanwhile, multivariate approaches through regression analysis based on insurance reimbursement data antenatal, perinatal and postnatal care were performed at the province level. Maternal mortality (MMR) and stillbirth rates were used for outcome. Demographic characteristics, availability of obstetricians (SPOG), midwifes and healthcare infrastructure were included for their determinants.
RESULTS: Specialized hospital facilities (type A/B) for advanced care covered a large part of uncomplicated cases (~35%). Differences between insurance membership groups (poor, non-poor) were not seen. Availability of human resources (SPOG, midwifes) (R2 = 0.728; p<0.001) and rural setting (R2 = 0.288; p = 0.001) are correlated with reduced insufficient referral. Their presence within provinces was related to lower occurrence of complicated cases (R2 = 0.294; p = 0.001). However, higher SPOG rates within provinces were also related to high C-section rates (p<0.001). MMR and stillbirth rates can be predicted by availability of human resources and C-section rates explaining 49.0% of variance.
CONCLUSIONS: Improvement of perinatal outcome should focus on sufficient referral processes, availability of SPOG in provinces dominated by rural/remote demography and avoidance of overtreatment by high C-section rates. It is very important to regulate the education of obstetricians and gynecologists in Indonesia as well as distribution arrangements regarding to solve the problems with pregnancy complications in remote and rural areas.

UNASSIGNED: Prevention of HIV vertical transmission programmes (VTPs) in South Africa has decreased paediatric HIV. These programmes require integration in referral hospitals.
UNASSIGNED: To determine knowledge of and attitudes to the national VTP guidelines in staff from Obstetric and Paediatric disciplines at two referral hospitals.
UNASSIGNED: Using a cross-sectional design, a questionnaire to assess knowledge of the guidelines and attitudes (awareness, ease-of-use and non-silo practice, measuring integrated practice) was developed and validated locally. Using standard statistical analyses, data from these questionnaires were used to draw comparisons and determine factors associated with knowledge and attitudes.
UNASSIGNED: Of the 249 participants, 138 (55.4%) were in obstetrics, 125 (50.2%) were nurses, and 168 (67.5%) self-identified as junior staff. Knowledge scores were good, median score (Q1-Q3) was 91.7% (79.1-95.8), and higher in those who had discipline-specific training (P = 0.003). Junior staff (P = 0.002) had higher knowledge levels than senior staff. Most (80%) found the guidelines easy to use and had good awareness, which correlated with knowledge and training. Gaps included understanding of antenatal testing of HIV-negative women and timelines for neonatal HIV testing. Staff scored poorly on integrated practice; the median score (Q1-Q3) was 50% (33.3-58.3), which was inversely correlated with knowledge (r= -0.146, n = 249, P = 0.022).
UNASSIGNED: Staff in referral hospitals appear to be practising within silos when implementing VTPs, and this may result in failures to ensure integrated practice. Regularised interdisciplinary and interprofessional training may be important to ensure the integrated implementation of VTPs in referral hospitals.

UNASSIGNED: This module teaches core knowledge and skills for undergraduate medical education in reproductive health, providing instruction in the management of normal and abnormal pregnancy and labor utilizing interactive small-group flipped classroom methods and case-based instruction.
UNASSIGNED: Advance preparation materials were provided before the education session. The 2-hour session was facilitated by clinical educators using a faculty guide. Using voluntary surveys, we collected data to measure satisfaction among obstetrics and gynecology clerkship students and facilitators following each education session.
UNASSIGNED: Capturing six clerkships spanning 9 months, 116 students participated, and 64 students completed the satisfaction survey, with 97% agreeing that the session was helpful in applying knowledge and principles to common clinical scenarios. Most students (96%) self-reported that they achieved the session\'s learning objectives utilizing prework and interactive small-group teaching. Nine clinical instructors completed the survey; all agreed the provided materials allowed them to facilitate active learning, and the majority (89%) agreed they spent less time preparing to teach this curriculum compared to traditional didactics.
UNASSIGNED: This interactive flipped classroom session meets clerkship learning objectives related to the management of pregnancy and labor using standardized materials. The curriculum reduced preparation time for clinical educators as well.

UNASSIGNED: Laparoscopic surgery requires significant training, and prior studies have shown that surgical residents lack key laparoscopic skills. Many educators have implemented simulation curricula to improve laparoscopic training. Given limited time for dedicated, in-person simulation center practice, at-home training has emerged as a possible mechanism by which to expand training and promote practice. There remains a gap in published at-home laparoscopic curricula employing embedded feedback mechanisms.
UNASSIGNED: We developed a nine-task at-home laparoscopic curriculum and an end-of-curriculum assessment following Kern\'s six-step approach. We implemented the curriculum over 4 months with first- to third-year residents.
UNASSIGNED: Of 47 invited residents from general surgery, obstetrics/gynecology, and urology, 37 (79%) participated in the at-home curriculum, and 25 (53%) participated in the end-of-curriculum assessment. Residents who participated in the at-home curriculum completed a median of six of nine tasks (interquartile range: 3-8). Twenty-two residents (47%) responded to a postcurriculum survey. Of these, 19 (86%) reported that their laparoscopic skills improved through completion of the curriculum, and the same 19 (86%) felt that the curriculum should be continued for future residents. Residents who completed more at-home curriculum tasks scored higher on the end-of-curriculum assessment (p = .009 with adjusted R 2 of .28) and performed assessment tasks in less time (p = .004 with adjusted R 2 of .28).
UNASSIGNED: This learner-centered laparoscopic curriculum provides guiding examples, spaced practice, feedback, and graduated skill development to enable junior residents to improve their laparoscopic skills in a low-stakes, at-home environment.

BACKGROUND: Discharge \"against medical advice\" (AMA) in the obstetric population is overall under-studied but disproportionally affects marginalized populations and is associated with worse perinatal outcomes. Reasons for discharges AMA are not well understood. The objective of this study is to identify the obstacles that prevent obstetric patients from accepting recommended care and highlight the structural reasons behind AMA discharges.
METHODS: Electronic health records of patients admitted to antepartum, peripartum, or postpartum services between 2008 and 2018 who left \"AMA\" were reviewed. Progress notes from clinicians and social workers were extracted and analyzed. Reasons behind discharge were categorized using qualitative thematic analysis.
RESULTS: Fifty-seven (0.12%) obstetric patients were discharged AMA. Reasons for discharge were organized into two overarching themes: extrinsic (50.9%) and intrinsic (40.4%) obstacles to accepting care. Eleven participants (19.3%) had no reason documented for their discharge. Extrinsic obstacles included childcare, familial responsibilities, and other obligations. Intrinsic obstacles included disagreement with provider regarding medical condition or plan, emotional distress, mistrust or discontent with care team, and substance use.
CONCLUSIONS: The term \"AMA\" casts blame on individual patients and fails to represent the systemic barriers to staying in care. Obstetric patients were found to encounter both extrinsic and intrinsic obstacles that led them to leave AMA. Healthcare providers and institutions can implement strategies that ameliorate structural barriers. Partnering with patients to prevent discharges AMA would improve maternal and infant health and progress towards reproductive justice.

BACKGROUND: Optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) reflects intracranial pressure and is increased in pre-eclampsia. Administrating a significant volume of epidural solution into the epidural space can potentially increase ONSD. We investigated the impact of epidural local anesthetic injection on ONSD in patients with pre-eclampsia.
METHODS: Patients with pre-eclampsia (n=11) and normotensive pregnant women (n=11) received de novo epidural anesthesia for cesarean delivery. We administered 21 mL of an epidural solution containing 2% lidocaine and 50 μg fentanyl into the lumbar epidural space in incremental doses. ONSD was measured at baseline, 3, 10, and 20 min after completing the epidural injection, after delivery, and at the end of surgery. Primary outcome was the change in ONSD from baseline to 3 min after epidural injection in patients with pre-eclampsia and normotensive pregnant women. Serial changes in the ONSD were analyzed using a linear mixed model.
RESULTS: At baseline and 3 min after epidural drug injection, ONSD was significantly larger in patients with pre-eclampsia than in normotensive mothers (5.7 vs 4.1 mm, p=0.001 and 5.4 vs 4.1 mm, p<0.001, respectively). However, there were no significant changes in ONSD at 3 min after injection from baseline in either group (p>0.999). Linear mixed model demonstrated that ONSD did not change after epidural anesthesia in either group (p=0.279 and p=0.347, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS: Despite a higher baseline ONSD in pre-eclampsia, epidural anesthesia did not further increase ONSD. Our findings indicate that epidural anesthesia can be safely administered in patients with pre-eclampsia at risk of increased intracranial pressure, without other intracranial pathology.
BACKGROUND: NCT04095832.

BACKGROUND: Factor VII deficiency is considered a contraindication to neuraxial anesthesia due to the risk of an epidural hematoma.
METHODS: A 32 year old G1P0 parturient with severe factor VII deficiency presented for an anesthesiology consultation at 32 weeks gestation. Initial coagulation studies were significant for an elevated INR (2.0) and a low factor VII level of 6%. After interdisciplinary discussion, it was decided that neuraxial analgesia could be offered if her coagulation studies corrected after administration of recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa). The patient presented at 36 weeks gestation for a rFVIIa challenge. She received 22 mcg/kg rFVIIa and coagulation studies were analyzed 20 minutes later which showed complete correction of the coagulopathy. The patient presented to the hospital at 39 weeks and 3 days for delivery, received 2 mg rFVIIa and 20 minutes later, successfully received an epidural catheter. Her INR was monitored every 3 hours during her labor course and rFVIIa was given if the INR was 1.3 or greater. She required three additional doses over 22 hours. No bleeding or thrombotic events occurred, and the patient was discharged home without complications.
CONCLUSIONS: This case highlights the safe management of an epidural catheter in a parturient with severe factor VII deficiency.

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Obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome (OAPS) is an autoimmune disorder associated with various pathological pregnancies, such as recurrent miscarriage, stillbirth, severe pre-eclampsia and severe placental insufficiency. The persistent presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) is the most important laboratory characteristic of OAPS. OAPS severely affects the reproductive health of women of childbearing age in China. Reports indicate that approximately 9.6% stillbirths, 11.5% severe pre-eclampsia, and 54% recurrent miscarriages are associated with OAPS or aPLs. However, the pathogenesis of OAPS remains unclear. Previously, thrombosis at the maternal-fetal interface (MFI) was considered the main mechanism of OAPS-related pathological pregnancies. Consequently, the use of low molecular weight heparin and aspirin throughout pregnancy was recommended to improve outcomes in OAPS patient. In recent years, many studies have found that thrombosis in MFI is uncommon, but various inflammatory factors are significantly increased in the MFI of OAPS patients. Based on these findings, some clinicians have started using anti-inflammatory treatments for OAPS, which have preliminarily improved the pregnancy outcomes. Nevertheless, there is no consensus on these second-line treatments of OAPS. Another troubling issue is the clinical diagnosis of OAPS. Similar to other autoimmune diseases, there are only classification criteria for OAPS, and clinical diagnosis of OAPS depends on the clinicians\' experience. The present classification criteria of OAPS were established for clinical and basic research purposes, not for patient clinical management. In clinical practice, many patients with both positive aPLs and pathological pregnancy histories do not meet the strict OAPS criteria. This has led to widespread issues of incorrect diagnosis and treatment. Timely and accurate diagnosis of OAPS is crucial for effective treatment. In this article, we reviewed the epidemiological research progress on OAPS and summarized its classification principles, including: 1) the persistent presence of aPLs in circulation; 2) manifestations of OAPS, excluding other possible causes. For the first point, accurate assessment of aPLs is crucial; for the latter, previous studies regarded only placenta-related pregnancy complications as characteristic manifestations of OAPS. However, recent studies have indicated that adverse pregnancy outcomes related to trophoblast damage, such as recurrent miscarriage and stillbirth, also need to be considered in OAPS. We also discussed several key issues in the diagnosis and treatment of OAPS. First, we addressed the definition of non-standard OAPS and offered our opinion on defining non-standard OAPS within the framework of the 2023 American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) APS criteria. Then, we discussed the advantages and disadvantages of different aPL testing methods, emphasizing that harmonizing results across platforms and establishing specific reference values are keys to resolving controversies in aPL testing results. We also introduced the application of non-criteria aPLs, especially anti-phosphatidylserine/prothrombin antibody (aPS/PT) and anti-β2 glycoprotein Ⅰ domain Ⅰ antibody (aβ2GPⅠDⅠ). Additionally, we discussed aPL-based OAPS risk classification strategies. Finally, we proposed potential treatment methods for refractory OAPS. The goal is to provide a reference for the clinical management of OAPS.