Simulator training provides the opportunity to acquire and practise technical skills in a safe, controlled and reproducible environment without the risk of harming patients. Although there is no evidence to prove that patient outcomes are worse if trainees undertake interventional procedures, there is an inevitable concern that procedures may not be as safe or successful if undertaken by doctors in training. 1,2 Experiential training in the workplace exposes patients to the theoretical risks of the learning curve of trainees, especially in the radial era. 3 Further, as catheter laboratory (cath lab) scheduling time is precious, having trainees undertaking procedures that inevitably take longer can be difficult to justify when the focus is on lab efficiency. Simulator training has the potential to offer focussed training opportunities that allow both the time and space to develop interventional skills. 4 These skills can then be analysed and critiqued without any risk of patient harm or impact on the cath lab schedule.Enthusiasm for simulation training has increased dramatically over recent years because advances in technology have allowed the delivery of authentic simulated training opportunities.Despite a broad body of evidence supporting the use of simulation in medicine, there are still some concerns when this evidence is extrapolated to less studied specialties. 5 Simulation training enhances learning, especially when used alongside traditional, apprentice models of training, and it is now increasingly recognised in cardiology and interventional training programs. 6,7 In interventional cardiology the evidence and experience of simulation continues to grow, although presently there are no studies that have documented a positive effect on patient outcomes.As mentioned, many healthcare settings have restricted the weekly working hours for doctors in training due to an increasing demand on cath lab schedules. 8,9 Institutions are becoming risk averse and often limit training opportunities through fear that patient outcomes might be lowered when procedures are undertaken by doctors in training. 1These two factors reduce exposure to practical procedures thus weakening the skills and experience of future specialists. Experience is an essential component of becoming an independent operator.Solutions are therefore required to enhance and increase training opportunities and simulation is one of the most useful practical options. Supervised simulated training experiences away from the bedside in a controlled, authentic environment will allow trainees to explore and develop techniques and consolidate their learning without exposing patients to risk, as has been seen in other medical specialties.
The Role of Simulation in Other Medical SpecialtiesSimulation is a long established form of medical training. 10 The early cardio-pulmonary resuscitation dolls are a simple but effective way of delivering the core elements of resuscitation training by providing a safe environment to practise and rehearse tasks, algorithms and al...