Tim Draycott presents to Midwifery students
There is a strong research collaboration between Edith Cowan University’s Associate Professor Mo Harris and Professor Tim Draycott, Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Department of Women’s Health, Southmead Hospital in Bristol, UK. This alliance gave the 2008 midwifery students an opportunity to be educated in Shoulder Dystocia and Breech birth and to attend an event entitled “Training that REALLY works” at the Mercy Function Centre.
The Mercy Function Centre overlooks the Swan River and provided a serene backdrop to this educational event that was jointly organised by the Royal College of Nursing (Western Australian Chapter), Edith Cowan University’s School of Midwifery and The Australian College of Midwives (WA Chapter); and sponsored by Mercy Healthcare. There was a large and enthusiastic turnout to hear Professor Draycott speak, including interstate attendees and metropolitan and rural nurses and midwives.
Tim’s main research focus is patient safety and in particular, improving outcomes through training. He introduced local intrapartum training in 2000 which has been associated with a significant improvement in perinatal outcomes - there has been a 50% decrease in the number of babies born with either a low apgar or Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy.
Tim has also developed a high-fidelity model for training in the management of shoulder dystocia. Since its introduction at Southmead in 2000, there has been a demonstrated 70% reduction in foetal injuries from shoulder dystocia.
Tim’s team, via the SaFE study, pioneered the use of patient actresses with obstetric mannequins so that training can effectively address communication skills as well as technical skills. Information from the SaFE study was used to create a course entitled Practical Obstetric Multi-Professional Training, which is now being published by the RCOG. It is the only Obstetric Emergencies course tested in a randomised study, that has directly improved perinatal outcomes in the centres where it has been employed.
Students and ECU friends enjoyed a world class event, presented by a leader in his field who spoke eloquently and passionately about his subject with great deal of humour.
Whilst in Perth as a visiting Professor to Edith Cowan University,
Tim also presented a simulation workshop on campus. Professor
Draycott and Associate Professor Mo Harris will continue
their research collaboration in the future.
