The role of simulated models in pediatric surgery to acquire diagnostic skills of inguino-scrotal disorders.

Background/purpose: Acquisition of clinical skills in medical education requires repeated practice. Current medical education mandates simulator-based clinical skills training programs. The details of our simulator-based clinical skills training on inguino-scrotal disorders (ISD) of the childhood, and the feedbacks obtained from the trainees are reported
Methods: From 1999 to 2001, simulator-based skill training on ISD is given to second- and fourth-year students (n = 207 and n = 128, respectively) and to primary health care physicians during postgraduate continuing medical education program (n = 80). Feedback forms filled out by each participant after the training were evaluated.
Results: A total of 55% to 66% of the second-year medical school students had judged 5 points, whereas 6% to 9% of them had judged 1 point on their feedback forms. A total of 79% to 84% of the fourth-year students had judged 5 points, whereas 1% to 5% of them had judged 1 point on their feedback forms. A total of 87% to 91% of the primary health care physicians had judged 5 points, whereas 1% to 2% of them had judged 1 point on their feedback forms.
Conclusions: Simulated models of inguino-scrotal disorders constructed from readily available materials are effective in clinical skills training.