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Tele-education vs classroom training of neonatal resuscitation: a randomized trial

Journal of Perinatology volume 30, pages 773–779 (2010)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective:

To compare gain in knowledge and skills of neonatal resuscitation using tele-education instruction vs conventional classroom teaching.

Study Design:

This randomized controlled trial was conducted in the tele-education facility of a tertiary care center. In-service staff nurses were randomized to receive training by tele-education instruction (TI, n=26) or classroom teaching (CT, n=22) method from two neonatology instructors using a standardized teaching module on neonatal resuscitation. Gain in knowledge and skill scores of neonatal resuscitation were measured using objective assessment methods.

Result:

Age, educational qualification and professional experience of the participants in two groups were comparable. Pre-training mean knowledge scores were higher in TI group (8.3±1.7 vs 6.6±1.4, P=0.004). However, skill scores were comparable in the two groups (11.7±3 vs 10.3±2.9, P=0.13). Training resulted in a significant and comparable gain in knowledge scores (4.2±2.2 vs 5.3±1.7; P=0.06) and skills scores (4.5±3.3 vs 5.0±3.1, P=0.62) in both the groups. The post-training knowledge scores (TI: 12.5±1.7 vs CT: 12.0±1.7, P=0.37) and the post-training skill scores (TI: 16.0±0.5 vs CT: 15.6±2.5, P=0.55) were comparable in the two groups. However, the post-training scores, adjusted for baseline knowledge scores, were statistically higher in the in-person group compared with the telemedicine group (knowledge: 12.46±0.03 vs 12.16±0.01, P=0.00; skills: 15.6±2.5 vs 16.0±2.8, P=0.00). The quantum of lower scores in the telemedicine group was only 2% for knowledge and 6% for skills. This difference was felt to be of only marginal importance. Satisfaction scores among trainees and instructors were comparable in the two groups.

Conclusion:

Tele-education offers a feasible and effective alternative to conventional training in neonatal resuscitation among health-care providers.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the contributions made by faculty of Department of Telemedicine and Center of Medical Education and Technology for assistance in conducting the telemedicine sessions, and resident doctors and nurses of Department of Pediatrics for assisting in clinical demonstrations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India

    A Jain, R Agarwal, V Paul & A Deorari

  2. Department of Pediatrics, Government Medical College, Chandigarh, India

    D Chawla

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  1. A Jain
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  2. R Agarwal
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  3. D Chawla
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  4. V Paul
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  5. A Deorari
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Correspondence to R Agarwal.

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Jain, A., Agarwal, R., Chawla, D. et al. Tele-education vs classroom training of neonatal resuscitation: a randomized trial. J Perinatol 30, 773–779 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2010.42

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