Training safer surgeons: how do patients view the role of simulation in orthopaedic training?

Simulators have been increasingly adopted in surgical training. In this study, members of the public performed simulated diagnostic knee arthroscopy and then answered questions about their attitudes related to simulation training for surgeons. The responses were overwhelmingly supportive of simulators, with 94% stating that it should be compulsory in surgical training. None of the respondents would want an operation performed by a surgeon who had not previously trained on a simulator.