Vacuum and forceps training in residency: experience and self-reported competency

Objective: Determine chief residents' experience with vacuum and forceps deliveries and self-perceived competencies with the procedures. Study Design: Study 1: A written questionnaire was mailed to all fourth year residents in US RR C approved Ob/Gyn programs. Study 2: The study was replicated using a web-based survey the following year. Data were analyted with X 2 and Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests using SPSS. Results: Surveys were received from 238 residents (20%) in Study 1 and 269 residents in Study 2 (23%, representing 50% of all residency programs). In both studies, residents repored performing significantly less forceps than vacuum deliveries. Virtually all residents wented to learn to perform both deliveries, indicated attendings were willing to teach both, and felt competent to perfonn vacuum deliveries (Study 1, 94.5%; Study 2, 98.5%); only half felt competent to perform forceps deliveries (Study 1, 57.6%; Study 2,55.0%). The malority of residents who felt competent to perform forceps deliveries reported that they would predominately use forceps or both methods of deliveries in their practice (Study 1, 75.8%; Study 2, 64.6%). The majority of residents who reported that did not feel competent to perform forceps deliveries repored that they would predominately use vacuum deliveries in their practice (Study 1, 86.1%; Study 2, 84.2%). Conclusion: Current training results in a substantial portion of residents graduating who do not feel competent to perform forceps deliveries. Perceived competency affected future operative delivery plans.