title: Simulation in dermatologic surgery: a new paradigm in training.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Simulation-based training has become popular in many surgical residencies for acquiring procedural skills, but simulator use is rare in dermatologic training.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the perceived efficacy of obtaining dermatologic procedural skills using simulators.
  
  
  METHODS
  Opinions of dermatology residents and staff regarding simulator use were assessed using questionnaires completed after a 2-day surgical symposium in which participants were instructed on and practiced with simulators and cadavers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 93.9% strongly agreed that simulators are helpful in acquiring procedural skills. More than three-quarters of participants agreed that simulators are useful in acquiring, refining, assessing, and learning these skills. Many participants further thought that simulator use would be beneficial in learning anatomy and trouble-shooting techniques. An overwhelming majority of those surveyed believed that training on simulators would be helpful in learning various dermatologic procedures; 90.9% of participants thought that training using simulators should be, at least in part, a mandatory component of residency. It was felt that this training should be conducted at the beginning of residency, with additional with sessions held throughout training.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Simulation offers an excellent model for the acquisition and assessment of dermatologic procedural skills. Cost and availability of instructors remain obstacles. Further studies are required to evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of these models.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Mohs Surgery/Procedural Dermatology Service, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA. luke.c.nicholas.mil@health.mil
authors.forename: Luke
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nicholas
authors.forename: Kristen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Toren
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bingham
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marquart
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002102:Cadaver; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003198:Computer Simulation / Q000191:economics; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures / Q000193:education*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires