225Developing the Models for Your Surgical Skills Center
Since the establishment of the Surgical Skills Center, Director and Skills Coach
Janet Ketchum CST, CSFA, and Coordinator Jenny Bartlett ST have fostered a com-
mitment to resourceful and novel applications of everyday items as opportunities
for realistic simulation of surgical skills training. By integrating everyday experi-
ences witnessing residents and others learn in the operating room with everyday
materials, realistic and cost-conscious surgical skills simulators have been devel-
oped. Examples range from using pork ribs acquired from a local butcher covered
in foam fabric headliner to simulate an easily replicable chest tube model to arrang-
ing hamster tubing into the shape of a colon using pegboard for a cost-conscious
lower endoscopy insertion model. These novel examples are only a few creative
innovations; for a more detailed step-by-step description of do-it-yourself models,
we invite you to read Best Practices in Surgical Education: Innovations in Skills
Training [ 36 ] or visit the Surgical Skills Center website [ 37 ] as the Surgical Skills
Center recognizes collaborative efforts across educational institutions and has dra-
matically improved the learner’s experience. Recently at the Surgical Skills Center,
pouring quality plastic molds has been a priority to improve reproducibility and
fidelity in light of cost-saving efforts.
Focus on utility and practicality of models has deterred excess use of anatomi-
cally precise expensive cadaveric models for routine learning modules; however, as
more advanced learning modules require commitment to anatomical acuity, the
Surgical Skills Center has risen to meet learning needs, often acquiring cadavers
when necessary. Additionally, more resources have since been devoted to the acqui-
sition of high-fidelity surgical skills trainers such as laparoscopic skills trainers,
colonoscopy/esophagogastroduodenoscopy trainers, and arthroscopy trainers.
During the move to the new location, significant resources were allocated to develop
a space dedicated to improving ease of use for learners and diversity in maximizing
interdisciplinary learning opportunities.
External Support
By teaming with a supportive local hospital, relationships with scrub technicians
and nursing staff have empowered significant cost-saving initiatives through instru-
mentation loaning programs, and the acquisition of functional expired surgical
items including sutures and other instruments has fueled the resource-intensive
environment of learning. By maintaining positive relationships with surgical manu-
facturing companies, box trainers and laparoscopic instruments were donated for
students to train on and improve their skills by task challenges such as moving rub-
ber items in between poles, picking up nuts and beans, and cutting mesh in a variety
of shapes. Additionally, many surgical companies provide educational research
grants that are attainable given the nature of a Surgical Skills Center’s directives
[ 38 ]. It is important to note that when trying to find solutions to meet the learning
needs of one’s programs, an institution doesn’t have to spend exorbitant amounts of
money to achieve its goals.
12 Role of the Surgeon Educator in Leading Surgical Skills Center Development