title: The role of simulation in urological training - A quantitative study of practice and opinions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Over the past few decades, simulation-based training has rapidly been adopted by many centres for effective technical and non-technical skills training, as a supplementary method to traditional operating room experience. The aim of this study is to assess the current practice in training and seek opinion regarding the future role of simulation in urological training.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross sectional survey was designed and distributed amongst expert and trainee urological surgeons. The survey consisted of twenty-two questions that were split into three sections; Introduction (6), Technical Skills training in urology (10) and Non-technical skills training in urology (6).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 91 residents and 172 specialists completed the survey. In both groups, there was an agreed consensus that laparoscopic training and exposure was insufficient as only 21% of trainees and 23% of specialists believed that they had sufficient training in this area. Furthermore, both groups lacked simulation-based training in common urological procedures including nephrectomy (62%), cystoscopy (69-74%), ureteroscopy (47-59%), transurethral resection of the prostate (56-65%) and percutaneous renal surgery (76-73%). 90% of trainees and 70% of specialists believed (agreed and strongly agreed) that there is a role for non-technical skills simulation in urological training.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Simulation training has been under-used thus far and trainees face an uphill challenge to enhance their skills and technical abilities in the operating room. Simulation is recommended by both trainees and specialists and may represent one of the solutions to the challenges of safe and effective urology procedural training.
authors.affiliation: MRC Centre for Transplantation, King's College London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Abdullatif
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aydin
authors.affiliation: MRC Centre for Transplantation, King's College London, United Kingdom. Electronic address: kamran.ahmed@kcl.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Kamran
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.affiliation: MRC Centre for Transplantation, King's College London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Ahmed M A
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Shafi
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Muhammad Shamim
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: MRC Centre for Transplantation, King's College London, United Kingdom; Department of Urology, Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Prokar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dasgupta
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000193:education*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000066908:Simulation Training; D013520:Urologic Surgical Procedures / Q000193:education*
keywords: Surgical education; Surgical simulation; Survey; Urological training; Urology