Intended for healthcare professionals

  1. PRactical Obstetric...
  2. PRactical Obstetric Multi-Professional Training course
Careers

PRactical Obstetric Multi-Professional Training course

BMJ 2013; 346 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.e8561 (Published 11 January 2013) Cite this as: BMJ 2013;346:e8561
  1. Abdelmageed Abdelrahman, specialty trainee year 2 in obstetrics and gynaecology 1,
  2. Mary Murnaghan, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist1, head of school for obstetrics and gynaecology2
  1. 1Mater Hospital, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Northern Ireland, UK
  2. 2Northern Ireland Medical and Dental Training Agency, Northern Ireland
  1. abdelmageed{at}hotmail.co.uk

Abstract

Teams that work together should also train together, with regular training taking place on the labour ward rather than on “away days”—The King’s Fund, 2008

The PRactical Obstetric Multi-Professional Training (PROMPT) course is an evidence based training package that teaches healthcare professionals how to respond to obstetric emergencies. The course has been found to be associated with improved clinical outcomes and reduced patient safety incidents. It is acknowledged by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Royal College of Midwives.

PROMPT courses are delivered in individual maternity units by local faculty, who have attended a “train the trainers” day delivered by PROMPT Maternity Foundation authorised trainers.

Participants on the course learn how to manage obstetric emergencies in multiprofessional teams on their own labour ward using their own emergency equipment, thus gaining local knowledge of the location of equipment and local procedures and systems, as well as important emergency skills.

Another key component of PROMPT training is that it is multiprofessional, with all members of the maternity team being trained in emergency techniques. Aspects of team working, including training for communication in an emergency, are included throughout the course.

Who is it for?

This one day course is designed for multiprofessional maternity staff (obstetricians, anaesthetists, and midwives). There are usually around 20-40 participants on each course. The PROMPT Maternity Foundation recommends that each maternity unit should aim to train all of their maternity staff on an annual basis.

When did you do it?

We attended the PROMPT course in winter 2012, when AA was a year 1 specialist trainee in obstetrics and gynaecology and MM was a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist. Other delegates included trainees and consultants in obstetrics and gynaecology and anaesthetics and midwives.

Where did you do it?

PROMPT courses are run in maternity units by faculty working in these units. Participants are always staff working within the maternity unit where the course is held. We did the course at the Northern Health and Social Care Trust and Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Northern Ireland.

Why did you do it?

This course aims to boost the confidence of participants in dealing with obstetric emergencies and to provide clinicians with the skills to deal with obstetric complications well before they are faced with an emergency on their labour ward.

We did the course to refresh our knowledge and skills in dealing with obstetric emergencies. It also appealed to us because it is a multidisciplinary course, which gave us the opportunity to engage with our midwifery and anaesthetic colleagues. In our trust, annual participation in a PROMPT course is mandatory for obstetric and midwifery staff.

How was it structured?

Participants are given a PROMPT course manual two weeks before attending the course. The recently updated manual covers all obstetric emergencies and includes up to date evidence based management recommendations.

The day is divided into morning and afternoon sessions. The morning session is lecture based and covers a variety of topics such as basic life support and maternal collapse, maternal cardiac arrest and advanced life support, intrapartum fetal monitoring, pre-eclampsia and eclampsia, maternal sepsis, major obstetric haemorrhage, shoulder dystocia, and cord prolapse.

In the afternoon session delegates are put into multiprofessional teams and practise obstetric emergency “drills” on their labour ward. Drills include management of eclampsia, major obstetric haemorrhage, shoulder dystocia, cord prolapse, and maternal cardiac arrest.

The most enjoyable part of the course was the afternoon session, when we had the opportunity to practise on manikins and simulated patients. We particularly enjoyed the “in-house” nature of the course, which allowed us to become more familiar with our units.

How much did it cost?

The course is free of charge.

Is there an exam?

There is no exam, but participants are assessed throughout the day by the trainers. A certificate is provided at the end.

Was it worth it?

The PROMPT course was well worth attending. The mix of lectures and practical sessions helped to maintain interest and concentration throughout the day. The course was well organised, and the faculty members were knowledgeable, experienced, keen to teach, and approachable.

By doing the course we refreshed our knowledge of the main obstetric emergencies and how to deal with them within a team setting.

Top tips

  • This course is popular because of its multidisciplinary nature—it is designed for all grades of obstetricians, midwives, and anaesthetists. Book the course and your study leave early on.

  • Read the PROMPT manual before attending the course, as the key messages are reinforced throughout the course.

Further information

More information about the course is at www.promptmaternity.org/. To find out whether the course runs at your organisation, contact the lead consultant obstetrician on your labour ward.

Footnotes

  • Competing interests: None declared.

Back to top