Perception and use of minimal access surgery simulators in pediatric surgery training programs.
OBJECTIVE
In the current time-restricted training environment, simulator use in surgical teaching is receiving increasing attention. A large body of literature addresses simulators' effectiveness in surgical education. No prior studies assess how widely simulators are actually being used or attitudes about their effectiveness of those involved in training.


METHODS
Surveys were e-mailed to all current pediatric surgery trainees and training directors. Queries examined respondents' perceptions about surgical simulators' usefulness and to what extent they are used in their programs. Other questions assessed obstacles to simulator use.


RESULTS
Response rates were high (47% of program directors and 67% of current fellows). Nearly all respondents felt laparoscopic simulators improve training efficiency (88%). About half (55%) report regular simulator availability to trainees. Only 21% of programs have current or planned simulation curricula. Less than half of the training directors (32%) and about half of the fellows (55%) felt they have actually significantly improved trainees' skills.


CONCLUSIONS
Trainees and training directors placed significant importance on simulator use in pediatric surgery training. However, most did not feel that simulators had actually improved the trainees' laparoscopic skills. Wider availability of simulation laboratories and protected time for using them would enhance the impact of simulators on pediatric surgery training.
Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. dlasko@med.miami.edu
David
D
Lasko
Mohammed
M
Zamakhshary
J Ted
JT
Gerstle
D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003258:Consumer Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003625:Data Collection; D005178:Faculty; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000193:education*; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000193:education*; D014584:User-Computer Interface