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Please cite this paper as: van Lonkhuijzen L, Groenewout M, Schreuder A, Zeeman G, Scherpbier A, Aukes L, van den Berg P. Perceptions of women, nurses, midwives and doctors about the use of video during birth to improve quality of care: focus group discussions. BJOG 2011; DOI:10.1111/j.1471-0528.2011.02943.x. The use of video during birth for quality of care was discussed in focus groups with women, nurses, midwives and doctors. Qualitative analysis revealed three categories of importance. First, goals and benefits: improving quality of care, teaching, research and legal issues are important potential applications. Second, limitations: concerns for privacy, fear of feedback and use of video in case of adverse events. Third, rules and regulations: goals and scope of the use of video need to be clearly described, access to video needs to be secured, and time until destruction needs to be specified. Video capture of birth is considered useful and seems acceptable if specific conditions are met. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Please cite this paper as: Drost E, van Lonkhuijzen L, Meguid T, Landis Lewis D, Zeeman G. Implementing safe motherhood: a low-cost intervention to improve the management of eclampsia in a referral hospital in Malawi. BJOG 2010;117:1553-1557. We evaluated the effect of so-called monitoring and treatment charts on the management of eclampsia in a referral hospital in Malawi. Baseline characteristics, clinical management, as well as overall maternal and perinatal outcome were compared by reviewing the medical files of two groups, before and after introduction of the charts in 2006. The use of the charts has resulted in improved monitoring of women with eclampsia and may have contributed to the reduction in the planned prelabour caesarean section rate from 87% to 33%, as more women underwent induction of labour after stabilisation ( P = 0.020). Overall maternal and perinatal outcomes were similar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Please cite this paper as: van Lonkhuijzen L, Dijkman A, van Roosmalen J, Zeeman G, Scherpbier A. A systematic review of the effectiveness of training in emergency obstetric care in low-resource environments. BJOG 2010;117:777–787. Background Training of healthcare workers can play an important role in improving quality of care, and reducing maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. Objectives To assess the effectiveness of training programmes aimed at improving emergency obstetric care in low-resource environments. Search strategy We searched Pubmed, Embase, Popline and selected websites, and manually searched bibliographies of selected articles. Language was not an exclusion criterion. Selection criteria All papers describing postgraduate training programmes aimed at improving emergency obstetric care in low-resource environments were included. Data collection and analysis Two reviewers independently extracted the data and classified these according to the level of the measured effects (reaction of participants, improved knowledge and skills, changes in behaviour and outcomes in practice). Any disagreements were resolved by discussion with a third author until agreement was reached. Main results A total of 38 papers were selected. Training programmes vary considerably in length, content and design. The evaluation of effects is often hampered by inadequate study design and the use of non-validated measuring instruments. Most papers describe positive reactions, increased knowledge and skills, and improved behaviour after training. Outcome is assessed less frequently, and positive effects are not always demonstrated. Measures that can contribute to a positive effect of training programmes include hands-on practise, team approaches and follow-up on training efforts. Author’s conclusions Training programmes may improve quality of care, but strong evidence is lacking. Policymakers need to include evaluation and reporting of effects in project budgets for new training programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]