Online CTG Training: A Fresh Look at Improving Birth Outcomes in Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, a new online course is making waves in the medical field. This course focuses on cardiotocography, or CTG, which is a way to monitor a baby's heart rate during labor. The goal is to help doctors and nurses read these monitors better. This can lead to quicker and more accurate decisions, which is especially important in places with limited resources. The project started with a close look at how CTG is currently used in a big hospital. This helped spot where training was lacking. Then, an online course was created to fill these gaps. The course was tested using a method called the Kirkpatrick model. This model checks if the training actually helps people learn and improve their skills. CTG monitoring is a big deal in childbirth. It helps doctors know if a baby is doing okay or if there's a problem. In places with fewer resources, like some parts of Sri Lanka, this monitoring can be even more critical. That's because quick decisions can mean the difference between a healthy baby and a complicated birth. The online course is a step forward in making sure that medical professionals are well-trained. It's not just about learning new things. It's about applying that knowledge in real-life situations. The course was designed with the specific needs of Sri Lanka in mind. This makes it more relevant and useful for the people who need it most. The Kirkpatrick model was used to see if the course was effective. This model looks at four levels: how people feel about the training, what they learn, how they change their behavior, and the results of these changes. This approach gives a full picture of whether the training is really making a difference. In the end, the goal is to improve outcomes for both mothers and babies. Better training means better monitoring, which means better decisions during labor. This can lead to healthier babies and safer births. It's a big task, but the online CTG course is a promising start.