Development of the surgical skills lab model

Abstract

Deliberate practice is a critical process for the development of mastery and expertise8 It is therefore of vital importance that students are given the opportunity to practice surgical skills before being exposed to real life-patients. There are of course limitations to the frequency students can practice in the operating theatre. When this opportunity does occur, students are relatively unprepared and exposed to high levels of stress, at the expense of the security of the patient. Bench models can therefore provide a safe environment where students can practice and master their skills before real patients are being used.

As seen in this report, it is certainly possible to produce an adequate model with the simplest of means and at low costs. All materials used are chosen because of their characteristics comparable to the tissues they represent, therefore providing sufficient life-alikeness. The materials used are every-day materials which can be found everywhere and are very low in costs, making these models easily reproducible.

Time will tell if these bench models will provide students with sufficient opportunity to master their surgical skills. It is vitally important to keep investing in the production of more bench models to give students the opportunity to practice and master as many skills as possible.