Table 1

Baseline characteristics of participants in the ISS and OSS groups (n=100)

 ISS groupOSS group
Number of participants48*49†
Number of females/males42/643/6
Median age (range)44.5 (26–63)42 (27–65)
Median years of obstetric work experiences (range) 7 (0.6–38) 7 (0.6–39)
Previous simulation experiences‡
 No experience 810
 Simple simulation2524
 Full-scale simulation1515
Pregnant participants 2 2
Participants on any kind of medication1920
Participants on medication with no expected influence on cortisol measurement§12 9
Participants on medication with potential influence on cortisol measurement 711
   Intranasal and inhaled corticosteroids (mometasone furoate, budesonide/formoterol, budesonide, fluticasone/salmeterol)   2   3
   Levothyroxine   1   2
   Metformin   1   1
   Norethisterone/estradiol acetate   0   1
   Oral contraceptives   1   3
   Beta blockers (metoprolol)   0   1
   Antidepressants (nortriptyline, fluoxetine)   2   0
  • *Not included due to illness: A consultant obstetrician and an operating room nurse (n=2).

  • †Not included due to illness: An auxiliary nurse (n=1).

  • ‡A simple simulation experience is, for example, skills training using a low-tech delivery mannequin and no video recording of the simulation scenario. Full-scale simulation is, for example, done in teams with fully interactive mannequins and video recorded scenarios.

  • §Intrauterine contraceptive devices, angiotensin II receptor antagonists, angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors, simvastatin, alendronate, pantoprazole, antihistamine and tinzaparine.

  • ISS, in situ simulation; OSS, off-site simulation.