RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The simulated operating theatre: comprehensive training for surgical teams
JF Quality and Safety in Health Care
JO Qual Saf Health Care
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP i27
OP i32
DO 10.1136/qshc.2004.010009
VO 13
IS suppl 1
A1 R Aggarwal
A1 S Undre
A1 K Moorthy
A1 C Vincent
A1 A Darzi
YR 2004
UL http://qualitysafety.bmj.com/content/13/suppl_1/i27.abstract
AB Surgical excellence is traditionally defined in terms of technical performance, with little regard for the importance of interpersonal communication and leadership skills. Studies in the aviation industry have stressed the role of human factors in causing error and, in an attempt to reduce the occurrence of adverse events, led to the organisation of simulation based training scenarios. Similar strategies have recently been employed for the surgical team with the development of a simulated operating theatre project. This enables technical and non-technical performance of the surgeon and circulating staff to be assessed by experts situated in an adjacent control room, and provides an opportunity for constructive feedback. The scenarios have good face validity and junior surgeons can benefit from the process of learning new technical skills in a realistic environment. The effect of external influences such as distractions, new technology, or a crisis scenario can also be defined, with the ultimate aim of reducing the number of adverse events arising in the real operating room.