Responding to the critical need for change, the Temerty-Chang International Centre for Telesimulation and Innovation in Medical Education at UHN, Toronto Western Hospital, is bridging a crucial gap in health care in developing countries. Using the latest telecommunications and simulation technology, the Centre provides training in Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) over the Internet for doctors around the world. Surgeons who complete the Centre's program will improve the skills necessary to perform safer, less invasive procedures. The Centre is the first of its kind in the world and will play a pivotal role in achieving the following goals:
- Increase the number of surgeons certified in Fundamentals of laparoscopic Surgery
- Evaluate new technology, equipment and methods to advance telesimulation training programs
- Conduct ongoing research on the impact of telesimulation on patient safety
- Expand telesimulation training models to other medical disciplines and health care professions such as nursing and biomedical engineering
Our program provides training in FLS using Telesimulation and typically lasts 8-10 weeks. The initial set-up equipment is shipped to the participating centre, along with an instructional video for setup. Baseline skills are determined remotely using telesimulation during week 1. Each week following this includes a one to two hour telesimulation teaching session, for a total of 4-6 weeks depending on skill level. Participants are then given 1-2 weeks to review material before an official FLS proctor comes to the site to test participants.
