Mr Ram Nataraja in the MCH surgical simulation centre |
In two review articles published in the Journal of Pediatric
Urology, Monash University’s Mr Ram Nataraja reveals the significant
benefits of surgical simulation in surgical training and education.
Mr Nataraja is a consultant paediatric and neonatal surgeon
and Director of surgical simulation at Monash Children’s Hospital, and
a senior lecturer at Monash University’s Department of
Paediatrics.
“Healthcare education has evolved rapidly in the last twenty
years, with changes especially evident in surgical training,” Mr Nataraja said.
“Simulation methodology is now an integral part of training
various surgical subspecialties, especially for technical skills learning.”
“However, it is important to recognise that the role of
simulation in surgical education is broader than merely technical skill
acquisition.”
Many adverse incidents in surgical practice arise from or
involve failures in communication, teamwork, and situational awareness, rather
than technical expertise.
Mr Nataraja said that simulation can promote the learning,
practice, refinement, and assessment of both technical and non-technical skills
in a patient-safe environment.
“In addition to allowing learners to make mistakes without
adverse patient impacts, simulation also allows for specific rehearsal of rare
or unique situations,” he said.
Simulation modalities that have been shown to enhance
surgical training and education include (but are not limited to): open surgical
models and trainers, laparoscopic bench trainers, virtual reality trainers,
simulated patients and role-play, hybrid simulation and scenario-based
simulation.
“Some of these modalities are readily available and others
more expensive; located in specialised surgical simulation centres,” Mr
Nataraja said.
“Advances in simulator design have resulted in decreased
cost and bring aspects of simulation-based medical education within the reach
of all departments, even in resource-constrained environments.”
Mr Nataraja review includes an overview of essential educational
principles that underpin contemporary medical education and support the
practical application of surgical simulation. His key message is that surgical simulation
does not have to be expensive or time-consuming to be effective, and can be
incorporated into busy surgical timetables.
No comments:
Post a Comment