Muscat: One of the most important and advanced birthing simulator ‘Victoria’ was launched by the College of Medicine and Health Sciences at the Sultan Qaboos University.
The simulator, which is the first of its kind on the level of the Arab and Gulf colleges of medicine, comes as part of the efforts made by the College to provide the most advanced training methods to train students and develop their skills.
The simulator (“Victoria”) is a life-sized training tool that looks and feels like a full-term mother in labour. Victoria provides a “tether-free” birthing scenario that mimics true labour and delivery.
The simulator also comes preprogrammed with more than 30 different potential outcomes—anything from a low-risk birth to a c-section.
Complications, such as placenta previa and cord prolapse can be simulated with the use of Victoria’s umbilical cord and placenta. When Victoria “gives birth,” a simulated full-term or preemie baby enters the clinical training scenario.
The baby looks and feels like a newborn, with a heart rate, movement, and even crying. The neonate simulator can be programmed with a spectrum of complications, including cyanosis and laboured breathing.
Dr. Rashid bin Khalfan Al Abri, Head of the Medical education and Information System Unit and Associate Professor at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences said that the device will help students and resident doctors to apply proper treatment measures as it provides them with many training opportunities on spontaneous and non- spontaneous deliveries.