French trainees in obstetrics and gynaecology theoretical training and practice of vaginal breech delivery: a national survey.

OBJECTIVE: To survey French trainees in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and evaluate their theoretical training and practice of vaginal breech delivery (VBD).

STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a national survey between January and April 2004 among the 817 French trainees undergoing a 5-year training program in obstetrics and gynaecology. Trainees in years 1-3 were considered as juniors, and those in years 4 and 5 as seniors. Respondents were invited to specify whether they had received theoretical teaching in the management of VBD, and to indicate the number of VBDs they had performed during their training.

RESULTS: The questionnaire was returned by 156 (19%) trainees and of these 140 questionnaires were suitable for analysis. Overall, 35% of the respondents had never been taught the management of a VBD. Among the senior trainees, 33% had performed less than four VBDs, and 23% had not received any teaching on how to manage a VBD.

CONCLUSION: The level of theoretical training and practice in the management of VBD seems to have diminished and does not bring the French trainees in obstetrics and gynaecology to the required standard of competence.