Twelve tips on teaching basic surgical skills using simulation and multimedia

All doctors need a core of basic surgical skills, whether or not they event ually specialize as surgeons. Il Mastering a,ly skill requires sustained de liberate practice, usually over several years. Ideally this should start ea rly in undergraduate training and be reinforced at intervals. Simulation is well established in medical education and is ideal for learning surgical t echniques. Realistic simulated tissue models allow initial training to be d etached from the stresses of clinical practice. Small-group workshops run b y, experienced tutors provide learner-centred teaching. Computer aided lear ning encourages regular practice, in preparation for supervised clinical ex perience when the basics have been mastered. This article describes a Jive- stage approach to learning surgical procedures using the author's,multimedi a CD-ROM ill combination with simulated tissue: (I) watching an animated gr aphic, (2) watching a clinical video; (3) watching a demonstration on a sim ulated tissue model; (4) doing the procedure on a I model; (5) doing the pr ocedure on a patient, under supervision.