VIRTUAL REALITY SIMULATOR- ANSWER TO TRAINING NEEDS OF EUROPEAN UROLOGY RESIDENTS

An update and review of simulation in urological training

Simulation, if appropriately integrated into surgical training, may provide a time efficient, cost effective and safe method of training. The use of simulation in urology training is supported by a growing evidence base for its use, leading many authors to call for it to be integrated into the curriculum. There is growing evidence for the utilisation of part task (technical skills) simulators to shorten the learning curve in an environment that does not compromise patient safety. There is also evidence that non-technical skills affect patient outcomes in the operating room and that high fidelity team based simulation training can improve non-technical skills and surgical team performance. This evidence has strengthened the argument of surgical educators who feel that simulation should be formally incorporated into the urology training curriculum to develop both technical and non-technical skills with the aim of optimising performance and patient safety.