The Power of Simulation

Simulation is a widely used tool in the aviation industry and allows pilots and pilots in-training to gain the cognitive and tactile knowledge to deal with flying in a range of scenarios and adverse conditions. Trainee pilots will intentionally simulate engine failures and other onboard emergencies to improve their problem solving skills. Furthermore, this can be used towards accreditations as they are regulated by the FAA.

Surgery is a kinaesthetic practice that requires tactile training in order to develop the necessary psychomotor skills to perform at a high level. Some surgical disciplines are less forgiving than others and require a greater degree of precision and dexterity, for example neurovascular surgery . Still, simulation is one of the most underutilised modalities in the surgical field and currently surgical simulation does not routinely simulate complications, like in the aviation industry.

One of the reasons we are passionate about surgical simulation and creating surgical workshops for junior doctors is partly due to training inequalities across the UK. Most junior doctors have to compete for theatre time and are often delegated relatively simple tasks, in the interest of patient safety. At JDSG we aim to use simulation to enable the next generation of surgeons to start building the psychomotor skills they will need as a senior surgeon. We also believe in simulating complications in order to prepare for emergencies.

We hold anatomy lectures for junior doctors and use 3D printing and virtual 3D models as teaching aids.

We are deeply involved in medical education research and collect data during our workshops to define metrics of performance that can be used to create validated evidence-based tools for surgical training.