Bases teóricas del uso simulación para el entrenamiento en cirugía

In the current healthcare scenario, several factors have been identified as threats for medical education. The increase in litigations, working-time directives, patient safety issues and a higher social demand for specialists have forced medical educators to look for new alternatives to traditional teaching. Simulation provides a recreation of a clinical situation, allowing the student to acquire skills and competences that then can be translated to real life practice. This article summarises the key concepts of simulation, the educational theories that back up its use, its limitations and the available evidence in regards to its use.