Role of the Surgeon Educator in Leading Surgical Skills Center Development

Abstract

One critical aspect of surgeons’ development as educators occurs outside the traditional confines of hospital wards, operating rooms, and classrooms. Surgical skills labs and simulation centers across the country have emerged as a prime environment where simulated surgical learning modules set the stage for the surgeon as educator to train their novice fellow, residents, and medical students. Realistic models and learning practicums have ensured tangible improvements in learner skill, transcending ethereal classroom discussion of surgical techniques and theories. As complicated surgical procedures are broken down into fundamental stepwise movements, learning modules empower improved acuity to identify gaps in training to maximize effectiveness. In response to increased demands, mobilizing technology in the surgical skills lab has enabled surgeons to better educate students using tangible metrics without sacrificing patient safety and eliminating the stress of actual patient care.