Medical Simulation Growing Part of Medical Residents’ Education, Training

Labeled sinonasal cavity of fully constructed sinus surgery task trainer (left).

Medical simulation, whether it comes in the form of high-tech machines, dummies that act like real patients, or even homemade concoctions made to look like the tympanic membrane, is increasingly a part of the training experience of medical students and residents. In a 2011 survey conducted by the American Association of Medical Colleges, 83 of the 90 medical schools that responded indicated some use of simulation across a five-year span of residency education, and 55 of the 64 teaching hospitals that responded indicated use of simulation.

No figures exist on exactly how many otolaryngology programs are using simulation, but the scientific literature is full of descriptions of simulators that are currently available or under development. One systematic review, for example, describes 13 bronchoscopy simulators, 10 sinus/rhinology simulators, eight oral cavity simulators, eight neck simulators, and even simulators that teach nontechnical skills like teamwork (Int J Surg. 2014;12(2):87-94).

Educators encourage the trend, saying that medical simulation is a way to help residents warm up to working with real-life patients.