Obstetrics & Gynaecology Forum Volume 29 | Issue 3 | 2019

Introduction Internship medical training is important for medical doctors as it provides an opportunity for both personal and career development. 1 During this period, the intern medical doctor masters skills as well as consolidate the medical knowledge attained to provide patient care under supervision by a consultant. Obtaining surgical skills is an important aspect of intern medical training; since in the post internship period, community service medical officers (CSMOs) are expected to independently perform caesarean deliveries (CDs) among other surgical procedures. According to the South African National Department of Health, ‘The main objective of Communi- ty Service is to ensure improved provision of health services to all the citizens of our country’. 1 In this regard, proper skilling of junior Is surgical skills training of medical interns in Obstetrics and Gynaecology adequate preparation for community service? Abstract Background Most community service medical officers (CSMOs) experience difficulties in performing uncomplicated caesarean deliveries (CDs) during their community service. Aim To determine the perceptions and attitudes of community service medical officers regarding surgical skills training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O&G) during their internship Methods A questionnaire based study included CSMOs working in hospitals in the UMgungundlovu District in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Responses to statements in the questionnaire were recorded on a semi-structured format. Statements evaluating the experiences of CSMOs included five-point Likert scale type questions (strongly agree, agree, disagree and strongly disagree). Open-ended qualitative-style questions were also included to give the participants the opportunity to share their opinions on their experiences. Data was analyzed using simple descriptive statistics. Results Forty eight CSMOs took part in the survey. Caesarean deliveries were the main surgical procedure performed (range 10-50). Difficulties were encountered at CDs by all CSMOs however 78.8% were able to apply knowledge and skills learnt during internship. CSMOs also performed other surgical procedures. Postpartum haemorrhage was managed successfully by 78.8% of CSMOs and 75% agreed that they applied knowledge and skills acquired through ESMOE training to manage obstetric complications and emergencies. Recommendations to improve internship training included: provision of “live” models, more practical skills exposure and simulation training. Conclusion The internship training program in O&G may have all the components necessary however there is a need for improvement of the training structure. Ensuring an improvement of skill will secure provision of a good quality healthcare system particularly in less specialized hospitals. Keywords: Internship, Community service medical officers, Surgical skills, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Caesarean deliveries Correspondence Dr S.A. Lubelwana email: sibulubelwana@icloud.com S.A. Lubelwana 1, 2 , T.D. Naidoo 1, 2 , J. Moodley 2, 3 1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Grey’s hospital, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa 2 Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa 3 Women’s Health and HIV Reproductive Research Group, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa O&G Forum 2019; 29: 19 - 23 ORIGINAL OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY FORUM 2019 | ISSUE 3 | 19