Background Focusing on interprofessional relations in team performance to improve patient safety is an emerging priority in obstetrics. A review of the literature found little information on roles and teamwork in obstetric emergency training. Qualitative research was undertaken through a Clinical Simulation in Maternity programme which gives interprofessional rural clinicians the opportunity to learn collaboratively through simulated obstetric emergencies. This research aimed to determine how interprofessional simulation team training improved maternity emergency care and team performance.

Method This research used thematic inductive analysis using data from in-depth interviews. In total 17 participants and four facilitators who took part in the Clinical Simulation in Maternity workshops were invited to participate in an interview 1–2 weeks postworkshop and then again 3–6 months later. Data were deidentified then coded manually and with the assistance of computer program NVivo 7 (QSR International).

Findings Of the major themes identified, Collaboration in Teambuilding was separated into four subthemes (Personal Role Awareness, Interpositional Knowledge, Mutuality and Leadership).

Conclusion This research highlights the significance of interprofessional training, particularly through simulation learning in a team where rural clinicians are able to learn more about each other and gain role clarity, leadership skills and mutuality in a safe environment.