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Advances in Pediatric Surgery Simulation-Based Training
Laquanda T Knowlin1,2, Nicholas M B Laskay3, Nehemie P Jules2
1Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, 4650 Sunset Blvd., Mailstop #175, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA.
Insights
Simulation-based training (SBT) is revolutionizing pediatric surgery education. This modern approach enhances technical skills for trainees and practicing surgeons, addressing challenges like reduced work hours and fewer congenital cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Medical Education
- Surgical Simulation
Background:
- Pediatric surgery involves surgical care for children's congenital and acquired conditions.
- Traditional training methods are evolving due to challenges like decreased disease incidence and work hour restrictions.
- Simulation-based training (SBT) has emerged as a key modern educational modality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the historical evolution of pediatric surgery training.
- To explore the current landscape and modalities of simulation-based training in pediatric surgery.
- To discuss the future directions of simulation in pediatric surgical education.
Main Methods:
- Review of historical training philosophies in pediatric surgery.
- Analysis of current simulation technologies and their application in pediatric surgical training.
- Discussion of the impact of simulation on skill acquisition and operating room performance.
Main Results:
- Simulation-based training (SBT) has evolved significantly, incorporating advanced simulators and gaming technology.
- SBT effectively aids in acquiring technical skills and improving surgical performance for pediatric surgery trainees.
- The benefits of SBT extend to practicing attending surgeons, enhancing their skills.
Conclusions:
- Simulation-based training is a vital component of modern pediatric surgical education.
- SBT addresses contemporary challenges in surgical training, improving patient care outcomes.
- The future of pediatric surgical training will likely involve further integration and advancement of simulation technologies.
Abstract:
Pediatric surgery is the diagnostic, operative, and postoperative surgical care of children with congenital and acquired anomalies and diseases. The early history of the specialty followed the classic "see one, do one, teach one" philosophy of training but has since evolved to modern methods including simulation-based training (SBT). Current trainees in pediatric surgery face numerous challenges, such as the decreasing incidence of congenital disease and reduced work hours. SBT consists of several modalities that together assist in the acquisition of technical skills and improve performance in the operating room. SBT has evolved to incorporate simulator models and video gaming technology, in parallel with the development of simulation in other surgical and non-surgical pediatric fields. SBT has advanced to a level of sophistication that means that it can improve the skills of not only pediatric surgery trainees but also practicing attending surgeons. In this review, we will discuss the history of pediatric surgery, simulation in pediatric surgery training, and the potential direction of pediatric surgical simulation training in the future.
