Efficacy of rapid cycle deliberate practice on healthcare professionals’ knowledge about obstetric emergencies: A randomized educational trial

Background: Simulation-based education is widely used to develop competencies in obstetric emergencies, but evidence comparing Rapid-Cycle Deliberate Practice (RCDP) and Conventional Clinical Simulation (CCS) for knowledge outcomes remains limited.Methods: This randomized educational trial included 189 healthcare professionals from two public maternity hospitals in Central-West Brazil.Participants received hybrid simulation using a standardized patient and the MamaNatalie simulator.Knowledge was assessed using pre-and post-tests.Results: Both groups improved significantly (p = 0.001).Post-test scores were higher in the RCDP group (p = 0.005), with a larger effect size (r = 0.80 vs. r = 0.68).Conclusion: RCDP was more effective than CCS in improving knowledge on postpartum hemorrhage management.