A survey of women using delphi technique to ascertain what women view as important outcome measures in perineal assessment and repair.
A survey of midwives and obstetricians to assess current practice
Development of a training package and intervention including training equipment and a DVD.
audit of practice in 22 paired units followed by training intervention and follow up audit.

Within the paired units one unit receives training and intervention in the first phase of the study the other unit in the second phase.

Training intervention involves training a facilatator in each unit to cascade training to the midwives within the unit.

following the period where group A units receive the training intervention and Group B receive care as usual an audit will be conducted women who gave birth in the units are surveyed at 10-12 days and 3 months.
Following training intervention in Group B units another audit survey is conducted of all units.

All women who sustain a second degree perineal tear or episiotomy in a participating unit during the study period will be eligible. To avoid problems with selection biases, overall outcomes for the centre will be ascertained using audit data from birth records. All births during a prespecified period will contribute to these analyses. However, women under 16 years of age, non-English speakers and those who have suffered pregnancy loss will not be included in any part of the study which requires individual questionnaire response.

a sample size of 40 in each cluster is anticipated

Audit data for evaluation of the training package will be managed and validated locally, before being sent to the PEARLS Central Office. Survey participants will be identified and consented locally and the 10-12 day questionnaire and prepaid envelope will be given by hand prior to discharge home. The 3 month questionnaire will be sent directly from the PEARLS Central Office, to women who consented and responded at 10-12 days. All completed questionnaires will be returned to the PEARLS Central Office, where data forms and electronic files will be securely stored (in filing cabinets or relational databases on password-protected computers).

Findings are available from the Delphi study on outcomes.
The study is ongoing and it is anticipated that report findings will be published in 2010 - 11

Not yet complete