Simulation in obstetrics and gynecology.

Simulation is a practical and safe approach to the acquisition and maintenance of task-oriented and behavioral skills across the spectrum of medical specialties, including obstetrics and gynecology. Since the 1990s, the profession of obstetrics and gynecology has come to appreciate the value of simulation and major steps are being taken toward incorporating this technique into specialty-specific training, evaluation, and credentialing programs. This article provides an overview of simulators and simulation in health care and describes the scope of their current use and anticipated applications in the field of obstetrics and gynecology.