The Budin and Pinard obstetric model
Obstetric models (also called «ghosts») were first used in the 18th century, initially, it appears, in France, although they were widely used in Europe in the 19th century for teaching future midwives and future obstetricians. They became less popular when women began going en masse to maternity hospitals to give birth, where they became «teaching material», as the professionals themselves referred to women in labour. In fact, the students at the Central Medical Faculty went on strike in 1931 because they resented the fact that future midwives could count on that wonderful material (pregnant women) while they had to make do with the occasional woman in labour to appear at the university clinics. In spite opposition from the Trust´s Committee, the students achieved their goal and in 1932 Santa Cristina became an official school controlled by the Ministry of Public Education and Fine Arts. José Bourkaib was replaced as director by Sebastián Recasens, who did not stay in the post too long as he died in 1933. Manuel Varela Radio then took over.
As regards the Budin and Pinard obstetric model, it was presented in 1877 at a meeting of the London Obstetric Society. Both Pierre Budin (1846-1907) and Adolphe Pinard (1844-1934) were attending physicians together with Etienne Tarnier at La Maternitè in Paris. We will talk more about the latter further on, as he came up with a very useful invention for midwives.
Simulation in general, and Obstetrics in particular, have seen a new rise in recent years as a way of teaching students before seeing real patients. It is a way of preventing errors by healthcare professionals and of defending the rights of women during delivery.