Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether an 8-week curriculum structured by the 7E teaching model is associated with improved emergency obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN) competencies among first-year residents. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, single-center, quasiexperimental consecutive-cohort study at the Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University (September 2022-September 2024). Consecutive training-year cohorts were compared: the 2022 cohort received traditional training (control, n = 32), and the 2023 cohort received the 7E-based program (intervention, n = 31; elicit-engage-explore-explain-elaborate-evaluate-extend). Outcomes were mapped to Kirkpatrick's four-level model (reaction, learning, behavior, and results) and included satisfaction, written examination scores, OSCE performance, Mini-CEX trajectories, and selected patient safety/process indicators. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, residents in the 7E cohort reported higher satisfaction (35.10 ± 1.30 vs. 23.22 ± 1.84, p < 0.001; Cronbach's α = 0.905), achieved higher written examination scores (71.23 ± 4.25 vs. 63.88 ± 5.71, p < 0.001), and demonstrated a higher OSCE excellence rate (80.65% vs. 15.63%, p < 0.001). Compliance with prespecified "golden-hour" emergency process indicators was higher in the 7E cohort (87.09% vs. 59.38%, p = 0.025). Mini-CEX trajectories showed a significant group × time interaction (β = -1.48 per week, 95% CI -1.75 to -1.21, p < 0.001), indicating faster skill improvement in the 7E cohort. Adherence to "golden-hour" emergency process indicators was higher (87.09% vs. 59.38%, p = 0.025). Severe complications occurred in 1/31 (3.23%) versus 6/32 (18.75%), corresponding to a risk ratio = 0.17 (score-based 95% CI 0.03-1.01; Fisher's exact p = 0.104). CONCLUSION: The 7E-structured curriculum was associated with improved satisfaction and performance across multiple competency domains. The 7E model shows promise as a structured paradigm for competency-based emergency OBGYN education, although causal inferences are limited by the nonrandomized design and single-institution context.