title: Five really easy steps to build a homemade low-cost simulator.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate how simple it is to build a homemade low-cost simulator using a simple 5-step scheme.
  
  
  METHODS
  A scheme explaining how to build an endoscopic surgery simulator in 5 easy steps was presented to 26 surgeons. The simulator required a pair of scissors and easy-to-find materials. Its total cost was less than €35. The participants assessed the simulator using common endoscopic training toys or ex vivo tissue and completed an anonymous query comparing it with other commercial simulators that they had experienced before.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all, 84.6% found the simulator really easy to build. Every participant felt that he or she could do the same simulator themselves. Comparing with other commercial available box simulators, the majority of participants found the homemade simulator easier to (a) mount and dismount, (b) transport, (c) clean, and (d) use when practicing alone.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Anyone can build its own simulator for a small amount of money.
authors.affiliation: Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal. moreirapinto@ecsaude.uminho.pt
authors.forename: João
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Moreira-Pinto
authors.forename: João Guilherme
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: João Luís
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Ribeiro de Castro
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Correia-Pinto
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000191:economics / Q000193:education* / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D013664:Teaching Materials / Q000191:economics