Update on simulation for the Neonatal Resuscitation Program

The goal of the Neonatal Resuscitation Program is to have a trained provider in neonatal resuscitation at every delivery. The Neonatal Resuscitation Program develops its course content on review of the scientific evidence available for the resuscitation of newborns. Just as importantly, the educational structure and delivery of the course are based on evidence and educational theory. Thus, as simulation became a more accepted model in medical education and evidence was developing suggesting benefit of simulation, the Neonatal Resuscitation Program officially added simulation into its courses in 2010. Simulation-based medical education is now an integral part of the Neonatal Resuscitation Program courses both in teaching the psychomotor skills as well as the teamwork skills needed for effective newborn resuscitations. While there is evidence, as in other fields, suggesting that simulation for teaching newborn resuscitation is beneficial whether using high- or low-technology manikins or video-assisted debriefing or not, there are still many unanswered questions as to best practice and patient outcome effects.