Abstract
Introduction and hypothesis
We evaluated family medicine obstetric providers’ identification and categorization of vaginal delivery lacerations in the USA. We hypothesized that there would be inaccuracy in family medicine physicians’ identification of vaginal delivery injuries, similar to our previous studies of midwives and obstetricians (OBs).
Methods
We included clinically active physicians who attended deliveries within 2 years and evaluated their identification and categorization of delivery lacerations using descriptive text and visual images. We asked about their education on this topic and how they document lacerations in the labor and delivery record.
Results
We analyzed 250 completed responses (70% of opened surveys). Fifty-five percent of respondents characterized their obstetric laceration training as “good” or “excellent” and half previously had education on obstetric lacerations. The median accuracy overall for the classification and identification of perineal lacerations was 78% (IQR 56–91%). Respondents frequently mischaracterized nonperineal lacerations. Few respondents (36%) reported using the third-degree injury subclassification system. In adjusted analysis, the highest scoring respondents were board certified in family medicine, with fewer years in practice, and a higher obstetric volume.
Conclusions
Obstetric laceration diagnoses may be inaccurate, which could influence perinatal quality and patient outcomes. We found gaps in knowledge similar to previous reports on midwives and obstetricians in the USA. These data suggest a need for increased education and training on obstetric injuries, perhaps especially for physicians with less obstetric activity. Improved categorization and identification of vaginal delivery trauma can impact management and improve women’s postpartum care and long-term pelvic floor outcomes.
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Abbreviations
- ACOG:
-
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
- CME:
-
Continuing medical education
- CNM:
-
Certified nurse–midwife
- COMIRB:
-
Colorado Multiple Institutional Review Board
- DO:
-
Doctor of osteopathic medicine
- EAS:
-
External anal sphincter
- HMO:
-
Health maintenance organization
- IAS:
-
Internal anal sphincter
- MD:
-
Doctor of medicine
- OASI:
-
Obstetric anal sphincter injury
- OB:
-
Obstetrician/obstetric
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N.T. Simon: analyzed the data, interpreted the results, wrote the manuscript; F.C. Niblock: protocol/project development, supervised data collection; C.A. Rabaza: protocol/project development, supervised data collection; M.L. Hoss: designed the study and main conceptual ideas; J.K. Sheeder: aided in study design and statistical interpretation; K.J. Hurt: designed the study, supervised the data collection, data analysis, and manuscript editing.
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Simon, N.T., Niblock, F.C., Rabaza, C.A. et al. Family medicine physician identification of obstetric lacerations: a US national survey. Int Urogynecol J 35, 391–399 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-023-05689-w
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-023-05689-w