A structured training module using an inexpensive endotrainer for improving the performance of trainee surgeons.
Training in minimal access surgery has always been difficult in developing countries with limited resources, non availability of formal animal labs, inaffordability of conventional endotrainers and lack of trained endosurgeons to help the amateurs. It is always difficult to start a new procedure in such places where not only the patients but the orthodox surgical fraternity are reluctant to accept new ideas and newer trends in surgery. After thorough discussions with senior surgeons, the author (who was the only trained endosurgeon to begin with) developed a training policy to train the surgeons over a period of time through various exercises before allowing them to assist him in the actual surgeries. A homemade, inexpensive endotrainer was designed for these exercises. Audio-visual seminars were held in between the training sessions. This training module can be employed by other rural hospitals to improve the skills of surgeons who are new to the art of endosurgery.
Mir
Iqbal Saleem
IS
Apex Clinic, Gole Market, Karan Nagar, Srinagar, Kashmir, India. iqbalsurg@yahoomail.com
Mohsin
Mir
M
Malik
Anjum
A
Shah
Abdul Qayoom
AQ
Majid
Tafazul
T
D002983:Clinical Competence; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*