The importance of simulation-based multi professional training in obstetric anesthesia: an update

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Obstetric Anesthesiology
• Simulation Technology

Background:

• Simulation-based training is essential in medical education for skill enhancement and patient safety.
• Obstetric anesthesiology utilizes evolving simulation technology for multidisciplinary team training and assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the evolution and impact of simulation-based training in obstetric anesthesiology.
• To highlight recent advancements and future directions in simulation technology for this field.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent literature on simulation in obstetric anesthesiology.
• Analysis of simulation's role in interdisciplinary communication, hemorrhage management, and resource-limited settings.
• Examination of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on simulation modalities.

Main Results:

• Simulation technology has advanced, particularly in interdisciplinary communication, obstetric hemorrhage management, and supporting low-resource settings.
• The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift towards remote and asynchronous simulation training methods.
• High-fidelity manikin-based and in-situ simulations are increasingly supplemented by other modalities.

Conclusions:

• Simulation's role in obstetric anesthesia training has accelerated, improving communication and hemorrhage management.
• Emerging technologies like augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR) are key drivers of this evolution.
• The need for remote and asynchronous training has spurred dramatic advancements in immersive simulation technologies.