Use of Virtual Simulation as a Tool in Surgical Training: Survey of Surgeons in South-Eastern Nigeria

Background: Surgical training in developing climes is predominantly based on the apprenticeship model. The number of surgical residents has increased worldwide. Surgical residents now have limited clinical exposure and decreased operation opportunities. This challenge is overcome by the incorporation of simulation models in surgical training. It is necessary to evaluate the extent of utilization of simulation-based surgical training in this digital era. Aim: The objective of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and exposure to use of simulation-based surgical training among surgeons in Southeastern Nigeria. Methods: The study was conducted among surgical residents and consultants in three teaching Hospitals in South-eastern Nigeria. It was a descriptive cross-sectional survey, and the calculated sample size was 213. A survey questionnaire was administered to 216 respondents, and data collected were analysed. Results: The majority of the respondents (75.9%) were males, and 52.3% of them were between 31 and 40 years. The respondents that have heard about any simulation-based training were 85.2%, and the most known modality of simulation was synthetic simulators (37.04%), followed by animal-derived simulators (26.45%) and cadaver-derived simulators (23.81%). The majority of the respondents (53.7%) said that simulation was not used routinely in surgical training in Nigeria, but only used during workshops, courses, and conferences (56.1%). Only 27 respondents were aware of any hospital where virtual simulation was used in training. The lack of relevant equipment and its high cost were the major limitations of using simulation in surgical training. Conclusion: Virtual simulation is not readily available for surgical training in Nigeria mainly because it is expensive to procure. Other forms of simulation are used for training residents, but they are not used routinely.