WIP 61 - Program Evaluation of a Neonatal Tele-Resuscitation Curriculum for Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Fellows and Neonatologists

Poster Number: WIP 61
Publication Number: WIP 61.2616

Background: Immediate evaluation and stabilization is critical in newborn care. Tele-resuscitation (TR) provides rapid and expert neonatal advice to community birthing centers and has been associated with faster stabilization, a reduction in neonatal transports, and less separation of mother and baby. To provide expert neonatal consultation via TR, providers must be equipped with additional training for the technology and provider role. Literature on educating tele-health providers exists in other disciplines, but is more sparse for newborn resuscitation. A prior study focused on a longitudinal TR curriculum (3 years) for neonatal-perinatal medicine (NPM) fellows. To date, there are no reports on implementation and efficacy of shorter term educational interventions for NPM trainees and providers.

Objective: To implement and evaluate the educational effectiveness of a tele-resuscitation curriculum for NPM fellows and neonatologists.

Design/Methods: We developed a TR curriculum for neonatology fellows (n=7) and faculty (n=11) at a level IV NICU utilizing a deliberate practice framework. All attended a didactic session focused on communication, professionalism, and hands-on technological support. Each individual participated in two separate 60-minute TR simulations via the TR software. Facilitators and hospital staff (eg. physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses) were present at each referral community hospital (sites=8). Simulations involved preterm and term newborn resuscitations with embedded lost connection and audio failure technology glitches. Facilitators led debriefs with the community site staff, physicians only, and the combined group. To evaluate curriculum effectiveness, we administered surveys before and after the intervention. The pre survey included demographic data, 17 confidence-based numerical scaled questions, and 2 open ended questions. The post survey asked the same 17 scaled questions and 2 open ended questions. Survey participation was voluntary and anonymous. De-identified pre and post surveys were linked and analysis is pending.