Evaluation of healthcare professionals’ understanding of eponymous maneuvers and mnemonics in emergency obstetric care provision

Abstract

The meanings of the mnemonics for obstetric emergencies were frequently recalled incorrectly. This, together with the poor correlation between knowledge of maneuvers and their eponyms, limits their usefulness and indicates that teaching should focus on learning without relying on mnemonics and eponyms.

Management of shoulder dystocia using the HELPERR mnemonic

“…It is common practice to use mnemonics to enable recall of information relating to the management of this obstetric emergency; however, the meanings of these logical steps are often elicited incorrectly (Jan et al, 2014). The authors have therefore considered the cognitive impact of enhancing students' understanding of the HELPERR mnemonic, and this article aims to show, in pictorial form, what we see in practice, mirrored against internal views of the pelvis in an attempt to aid learning and absorption of information.…”