Improved Perinatal Knowledge in Community Hospitals Through a Self-Instructional Program

摘要

The Perinatal Continuing Education Program (PCEP) was conducted throughout South Carolina. The program was well received and greatly valued; however, participants requested more information covering obstetrics. To meet this need, we developed the Perinatal Education Program for Community Hospitals (PEPCH), patterned after and similar to PCEP, and tested it in South Carolina and southern California. In the South Carolina trial, the posttest was found reliable (Kuderndash;Richardson indexequals;.77). In the California trial, the pretestsol;posttest reliability was confirmed. Learning for nurses was documented (pretestequals;30.8 plusmn; 5.3, posttestequals;36.8 plusmn; 5.5, P .001). Completion rate for this voluntary program was 84percnt;. We conclude that a self-study program based in the community hospital can improve knowledge of perinatal professionals.