PURPOSE:
In Japan, the COVID-19 pandemic, a rapidly declining birthrate, and increasing maternal age have significantly reduced opportunities for student midwives to engage with women experiencing normal labor and develop professional competencies in clinical settings. In response to these challenges, we have developed a comprehensive, scenario-based midwifery education program since 2020, designed to enhance clinical judgement before clinical practicum. This abstract presents the structure and outcomes of the program, which plays a vital role in addressing these educational limitations and fostering international dialogue and knowledge exchange.

DISCUSSION:
The program comprises three components: (1) initial midwifery assessment using patient charts, (2) simulation training with standardized patients and birthing manikins, and (3) structured video-based debriefing. Thirty simulation scenarios have been developed, including normal labor as well as complications such as uterine atony and instrumental deliveries. Each scenario provides time-sequenced, integrated objective and subjective information from the first stage of labor through two hours postpartum. Students interact with simulated patients and conduct deliveries using a manikin, making real-time clinical decisions to support safe, woman-centered births.

EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
Each student completes four simulation-debriefing cycles during the one-month period prior to their midwifery clinical practicum. These reflections illuminate the emotional and cognitive processes through which students gather and interpret multidimensional information from the woman, engage in clinical reasoning, make decisions, and take action. This process facilitates the identification of personal learning challenges and fosters emotional regulation and calm, rational decision-making in subsequent simulations. Clinical educators have reported increased adaptability and practical competence among students.

KEY MESSAGE:
A scenario-based midwifery education program effectively enhances clinical judgment and practice readiness. This pre-clinical training model holds strong potential for global adaptation, particularly in settings with limited clinical access. Poster session 3 (Group B)