Surgeons Expand Skillsets Through Medical Simulation Training

Millions of laparoscopic surgical procedures – including orthopedic or musculoskeletal surgery; chest surgery; urology; brain surgery; ear, nose, and throat surgery; gynecologic surgery; gastrointestinal surgery; and even heart surgery – have been performed in the United States since the technique was first introduced in the 1980s. Each year, more treatment options are opening up in the laparoscopic field, and because faster recovery times and less pain and bodily trauma are frequently associated with the practice, more patients are looking to laparoscopy as a good alternative to open surgery. Thus, many practicing surgeons in hospitals, out-patient clinics, and private medical offices are expanding their traditional skillsets to include mastery of laparoscopic procedures. What's the best way for a surgeon to learn laparoscopic methodology and gain the experience he or she needs to provide the best possible care to patients? Through medical simulation training.

Medical simulation training has become an essential part of the clinical education experience. Graduate medical learners, residents, and practicing physicians all benefit from taking part in medical simulation sessions, especially when said sessions are video recorded and can be reviewed by both the learner and the simulation lab administrator. By reviewing a session, the learner can see where treatment was delivered correctly and where there may be room for improvement – or where an outright error was made – all within a safe environment.

Medical simulation training for laparoscopic surgeons generally falls into two categories: unwired "box" trainers and virtual reality (VR) trainers. With box trainers, the learner uses surgical tools to manipulate real objects within the confines of a box. VR trainers also employ realistic surgical tools, but they're connected to a computer, allowing the surgical learner to watch a screen, monitor the movement of virtual objects, and respond to automated audio-visual prompts. Because the learner's actions are recorded, VR trainers are ideal for immediate post-exercise skill assessment as well as long-term progress tracking within the medical simulation training environment.

Practice makes perfect. With repeated involvement in medical simulation training sessions, the learner can develop the unique and highly specific skills necessary for successful laparoscopic surgery. These skills include mental aptitudes such as decision making, communication, and troubleshooting, as well as the physical ability to maintain appropriate postures without placing strain on the back, hands, and arms. With the help of medical simulation training, laparoscopic technique will over timebecome second nature to a surgeon previously only versed in traditional practice. The surgeon will then be better equipped to offer the right treatment, be it laparoscopic or traditional surgery, to the patient on a case-by-case basis.

When the time comes for a patient to select a laparoscopic surgeon, there are several things to consider. Training: did the surgeon build a comprehensive skill set through the practice of medical simulation training? Experience: how long has the surgeon been performing laparoscopic surgeries? Expertise: how many are performed a year by the surgeon? If all three of these criteria meetthe patient's expectation, he or she can be confident in the delivery of excellent care.

Learn more about medical simulation training at www.SIMULATIONiQ.com.

About The Author:

The author of the article has an extensive experience in the field of Medical Simulation Training and Simulation Based Mastery Learning.

The author of the article has an extensive experience in the field of Simulation and Deliberate Practice.