A proactive safety approach to delivering safer care in obstetrics and gynaecology

In obstetrics and gynaecology, things often ‘go well’ because clinicians make sensible adaptations in response to situations to ensure safety, often within a highly pressurised environment. The adaptations and performance variables that are made under these complex circumstances are not explicitly understood. Understanding the performance variability of clinicians as well as the environmental context that enables good or successful outcomes may bring awareness of how to build adaptive capacities and capabilities in clinicians when working in unpredictable and unanticipated highly pressurised environments. To be aware of the current research in safety‐II and the concept of resilience engineering in illustrating the nature of adaptations that happen in complex clinical contexts. To understand the concept of capability mindfulness, which can help clinicians to focus on their environment and to be alert and aware of correcting errors before they occur. To be aware of these concepts (behaviour and skills) through the lens of ‘what went well’ in clinicians’ responses to unforeseen and unpredictable situations.