title: [Fundamentals of laparoscopic surgery in Colombia using telesimulation: an effective educational tool for distance learning].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery program is an educational program developed by the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons, which includes a handson skills training component, a cognitive component, and an assessment component for laparoscopic surgery. Its main objective is to provide surgical residents and practicing surgeons with the opportunity to learn fundamental skills and obtain the theoretical knowledge required to perform laparoscopic surgery, guaranteeing a better performance in the operating room, and thus, improving patient security.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of telesimulation for teaching the Fundamentals of Laparosopic Surgery program in Colombia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty participants (ten general surgeons and ten general surgery residents) in two cities in Colombia participated in eight weekly telesimulation sessions. Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery scores were obtained for each participant before the telesimulation sessions (pre-test scores) and after telesimulation training was completed (post-test scores).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using scoring parameters developed by the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons, we found a significant improvement between pre-test and post-test scores. All the participants passed the skills component of the course.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study evidences the effectiveness of telesimulation to improve the laparoscopic skills of the participants who had no previous knowledge of the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery program, which guaranteed obtaining the necessary score for approving the practical component of the program.
authors.affiliation: Division de Surgery, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canadá. oscarhenaof@gmail.com
authors.forename: Óscar
authors.initials: Ó
authors.lastname: Henao
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Escallón
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: Mónica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Farcas
authors.forename: Juan Manuel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Sierra
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sánchez
authors.forename: Allan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Okrainec
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D003105:Colombia; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003479:Curriculum; D020375:Education, Distance; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D004521:Educational Measurement; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D007396:Internship and Residency; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods; D009864:Ontario; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000193:education; D017216:Telemedicine; D014584:User-Computer Interface