In a recent episode of The Obstetrics Podcast, Dr. Lisbeth McKinnon — an OB hospitalist and clinical leader with Ob Hospitalist Group (OBHG) — shares her vision for how virtual simulation is transforming how obstetric teams prepare for emergencies.
As she describes, this isn’t simply a workaround for remote training — it’s a powerful tool that enhances clinical skills, team dynamics, and ultimately, patient safety.
Who is Dr. McKinnon & why this matters
Dr. McKinnon brings a wealth of experience in both patient care and clinical education. Before joining OBHG in 2014, she worked in private practice. Since then, she has held roles as site director and medical director, and is active in the Society of OB/GYN Hospitalists (serving on its Simulation Committee and board)
Her dual perspective—as a practicing clinician and a leader in training design—makes her uniquely placed to discuss what’s working (and what’s still evolving) in virtual OB simulation.
What does a virtual simulation look like?
Dr. McKinnon breaks down a typical virtual simulation workflow:
- Pre-work / Didactic Phase (“Inverted Classroom”)
Learners complete online modules or readings beforehand, covering core knowledge related to the scenario (e.g. hypertensive emergencies, hemorrhage) - Filmed Video Scenario
A recorded scenario (for instance, postpartum hemorrhage, severe hypertension, or cardiac arrest) is used as the central “case.” - Facilitated Virtual Session
Using platforms like Microsoft Teams or Zoom, participants collectively view the scenario. Facilitators intentionally pause (“serial interruptions”) at key moments to ask clinical and teamwork questions—What’s your diagnosis? What’s your next step? How is communication flowing? The interruption points encourage reflection, discussion, and collaborative decision-making. - Teamwide Participation
These simulations bring together a broad cross-section of disciplines: OB/GYN physicians, midwives, nurses, emergency department staff, anesthesiologists, NICU providers, OR technicians, even unit coordinators. This multidisciplinary approach mirrors how real emergencies play out in hospitals. - Psychological Safety & Learning Culture
A key design principle: participants must feel safe to make “wrong” choices, ask for help, and discuss alternative strategies. The simulation becomes a learning space, not a judgment zone.
Dr. McKinnon also notes that hybrid models are possible — combining virtual teamwork and decision-making with in-person, hands-on drills (for example, in managing shoulder dystocia).
Which emergencies & skills are focused on?
Because the virtual format is quite flexible, Dr. McKinnon says nearly any obstetric emergency can be simulated. Examples include:
- Obstetric hemorrhage
- Seizure / eclampsia / hypertensive crises
- Cardiac arrest in pregnancy
- Soft skills scenarios, like managing difficult conversations, trauma-informed care, or communication breakdowns
Beyond the hard clinical decisions, the simulations emphasize communication, leadership, closed-loop orders, team roles, situational awareness, and when to escalate.
What’s the value—beyond just “practice”?
- Confidence & decision-making under pressure
These drills allow clinicians to “practice in the pressure cooker” without real-world risks. Learners can make imperfect choices, see consequences, reflect, and try again. Over time, that builds decision-making agility and confidence. - Repetition & scale with lower resource burden
Unlike full-scale in-person drills that require time, physical space, actors, and logistics, virtual simulations are easier to run repeatedly. That allows more frequent training cycles. - Enhanced team performance & interdisciplinary understanding
Because participants from different departments (ER, OB, anesthesiology, etc.) participate side-by-side, they gain insights into each other’s workflows and constraints. Dr. McKinnon gives the example of a hypertensive emergency scenario where ED staff learned nuances of OB management and OB teams better understood the dynamics of a code. - Broader accessibility including low-resource settings
One of the strongest advantages of virtual simulations is broad reach. Hospitals in rural or resource-limited settings may lack simulation labs or travel budgets; virtual options let them train clinicians without prohibitive costs or scheduling barriers. - Toward demonstrable outcomes
Dr. McKinnon acknowledges that while emergency drill participation generally improves patient safety, the body of evidence specifically linking virtual simulations to improved outcomes is still emerging. However, the potential is there, and early results are promising.
She also shared a real-life example: after a simulation involving severe hypertension evolving to cardiac arrest, cross-disciplinary teams reported improved mutual understanding. The scenario forced the emergency department, obstetrics, and anesthesia teams to share knowledge, clarify roles, and coordinate more smoothly when caring for actual patients.
Technology & fidelity: Low-tech to high-tech
Dr. McKinnon points out that virtual simulations don’t always require high-end tools. Some possibilities:
- Low-fidelity: video-recorded vignettes using a smartphone, basic film editing, and delivery via Teams/Zoom.
- High-fidelity / Immersive: VR platforms, 3D immersive simulation environments, or AI-augmented feedback systems.
Over time, she expects that augmented reality (AR), more immersive virtual environments, and AI-driven performance feedback will become more common in medical simulation.
Hybrid models will likely proliferate, combining the best of hands-on and virtual worlds.
Advice from Dr. McKinnon on getting started
For OB/GYN clinicians, educators, or hospital leaders who are considering launching a virtual simulation program, Dr. McKinnon offers pragmatic guidance:
- Map your gaps / needs first
Determine where your institution (or team) has weaknesses—clinical decisions, communication, code leadership, etc. Use those as priority targets for virtual cases. - Secure buy-in & demonstrate value
Leadership support is crucial (time, technology, funding). Present the evidence and emphasize the accessibility and scalability advantages. - Start simple & grow
You don’t have to be high-fidelity from day one. Begin with filmed cases, simple facilitation, and grow toward more complex immersive approaches. - Tap into existing virtual simulation libraries or collaborate
Over time, Dr. McKinnon expects that “banks” of virtual OB emergencies (pre-developed, peer-reviewed scripts/videos) will become widely available. Using or adapting those can reduce startup burden. - Iterate & evaluate
Collect feedback, iterate your cases, and as data accumulate, aim to study the impact (on team performance, patient safety, outcomes).
Looking Ahead: The future of OB simulation
Dr. McKinnon is optimistic that virtual simulations are here to stay. Some trends she foresees:
- Increased immersion & realism
More realistic, lifelike virtual environments and VR/AR elements will make simulations feel even more authentic. - AI-assisted performance feedback
Analytics, automated assessment of decision patterns, and individualized feedback loops will augment facilitator-led debriefing. - Mobile simulation teams
Hybrid teams that can “visit” rural or lower-resource hospitals to deliver blended virtual + in-person support. - Global reach & equity
Virtual simulation can scale internationally, helping improve obstetric emergency training in low- and middle-income regions. - Integration into certification / maintenance frameworks
As governing bodies recognize virtual simulation as a valid training modality, it may become more formally adopted in credentialing and certification programs.
Final thoughts
Virtual simulation in OB is not just a workaround or pandemic-era alternative — it’s emerging as a strategic asset in training safer, more coordinated care teams.
Dr. McKinnon’s experiences show that with thoughtful design, modest technology, and institutional support, these simulations can sharpen clinical decision-making, bolster teamwork, and expand access to high-quality emergency training.