THE IMPORTANCE OF SIMULATION-BASED TRAINING IN TEACHING PEDIATRIC SURGERY

The education of future pediatric surgeons requires a combination of theoretical knowledge, practical competence, clinical judgment, and the ability to make decisions in complex and sometimes life-threatening situations. Traditional surgical education has relied heavily on observation, supervised clinical practice, and gradual participation in operative procedures. Although these methods remain essential, they may not always provide sufficient opportunities for trainees to repeatedly practise specific techniques, particularly when the procedures are uncommon or involve high-risk conditions in newborns and children. Simulation-based training offers an educational approach that allows students and surgical trainees to develop practical skills in a controlled environment before performing procedures on patients.