Simulations in obstetrics.

imulations are well suited to obstetrical practice and have a great otential to improve patient outcomes. Whether simulations are used to rain new students, to enhance skills for experienced clinicians, or to nable multidisciplinary teams to prepare for emergencies, simulations mprove safety and advance evidence-based practice. Obstetrics offers unique challenges that make simulations the training odality of choice. Students can practice intimate maneuvers on maniins without fear of embarrassment or pain to the patient. Although most omen have uneventful deliveries and healthy offspring, practitioners ust be prepared for sudden life-threatening emergencies. Simulations llow trainees to manage rare, complex situations that they may not therwise encounter during clinical training. Communication may be ore important in obstetrics than in other specialties because complicaions tend to occur unpredictably and rapidly, and teamwork is almost lways required in these cases. In addition, patients remain awake and ware even during dire situations. Every procedure, planned or emerency, is observed by women and their families who are sensitive to how heir caregivers communicate and work together. Table 1 lists examples of current uses of simulation in obstetrics in each f 5 general categories: basic technical skills, communication skills, omplex technical skills, multidisciplinary emergency responses, and rew-resource training.