Background and objectives: This study describes and evaluates a teaching model for training family medicine residents to perform cesarean deliveries and determines whether family medicine residents can achieve adequate quality care in the procedure.
Methods: The teaching model for cesarean deliveries involved direct instruction and supervision by an obstetrician. We conducted a review of all cesarean deliveries performed over a 3-year period by family medicine residents. The review analyzed associated medical conditions, cesarean section indications, cesarean rate, blood loss, postoperative complications, and fetal outcome. We compared these data to published outcomes in obstetrical literature and local obstetricians' data.
Results: Maternal outcomes of all 277 cases performed under the teaching model were similar to other published results. The family medicine residency's cesarean section rate (19.1%) was less than the national cesarean section rate (27.6%) and the local obstetricians' rate (22.6%).
Conclusions: The teaching model outlined provides family medicine residents with the knowledge and skill to perform cesarean deliveries with high-quality standards.