Where there is no anesthetist - increasing capacity for emergency obstetric care in rural India: An evaluation of a pilot program to train general doctors

Dileep Mavalankar, Katie Callahan, Veena Sriram, Prabal Singh, Ajesh Desai

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: The lack of anesthesia providers in rural public sector hospitals is a significant barrier to providing emergency obstetric care. In 2006, the state of Gujarat initiated the Life Saving Anesthetic Skills (LSAS) for Emergency Obstetric Care (EmOC) training program for medical offers (MOs). We evaluated the trained MOs' experience of the program, and identified factors leading to post-training performance. Methods: The sample was chosen to equally represent performing and nonperforming LSAS-trained MOs using purposive sampling qualitative interviews with trainees across Gujarat (n = 14). Data on facility preparedness and monthly case load were also collected. Results: Being posted with a specialist anesthesiologist and with a cooperative EmOC provider increased the likelihood that the MOs would provide anesthesia. MOs who did not provide anesthesia were more likely to have been posted with a nonperforming or uncooperative EmOC provider and were more likely to have low confidence in their ability to provide anesthesia. Facilities were found to be under prepared to tackle emergency obstetric procedures. Conclusion: Program managers should consider extending the duration of the program and placing more emphasis on practical training. Posting doctors with cooperative and performing EmOC providers will significantly improve the effectiveness of the program. A separate team of program managers who plan, monitor, and solve the problems reported by the trained MOs would further enhance the success of scaling up the training program.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)283-288
Number of pages6
JournalInternational Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics
Volume107
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2009
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Anesthesia
  • Emergency obstetric care
  • India
  • Maternal mortality
  • Mid-level providers
  • Task shifting

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Where there is no anesthetist - increasing capacity for emergency obstetric care in rural India: An evaluation of a pilot program to train general doctors'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this