Developing and running a surgical simulation centre: experiences from Copenhagen, Denmark

The Simulation Centre at Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen, Denmark, focuses on providing simulation-based skills training to young doctors in surgical procedures such as laparoscopy, bronchoscopy, gastroscopy, colonoscopy, cystoscopy, hip fracture surgery, and ultrasonography. It is the leading training centre in Denmark, with its vision to have all doctors train on technically advanced clinical procedures in a simulation-based environment before performing procedures on patients. Our training curricula follow the FACER strategy: flexible, accessible, certification, evidence based and research generating. Along with these criteria, we follow a four-step approach in all courses: theoretical preparation, introduction by a clinical specialist, directed self-regulated training sessions, and certification assessed by a specialist. Our commitment to simulation-based training continues and we aim to fulfil our vision by establishing more simulation-based training programmes, covering more than 50 clinical procedures by 2020.