Basic Surgical Skills Workshop

The Center for Advanced Simulation in Healthcare (CASH) at Gulf Medical University, Ajman hosted the 16^th Basic Surgical Skills Workshop on October 31, 2014.

Professor Manda Venkatramana, Director of the Center and Dean, College of Medicine inaugurated the workshop and delivered the welcome address. He briefed about the various activities conducted at the state-of-art Simulation Center including the AHA accredited basic and advanced life support courses. The Director further elaborated that the major beneficiary of this facility has been GMU students as simulation-based learning has been seamlessly integrated into the curriculum of various programs. He said that simulation-based learning is considered one of the best practices in current day medical education.  He concluded by listing the objectives of the workshop and wished the delegates a great learning experience.

Dr. Pradeep K. Sharma, Specialist Surgeon and Associate Professor, delivered interactive lectures on “Surgeons and Sutures” and “Principles of Wound Management.”

The highlights of the workshop were the small-group hands-on sessions on ‘Suturing Techniques’ facilitated by Dr. Pradeep KS, ‘Knotting Techniques’ by Dr. Nishida C, Lecturer in Anatomy, ‘Sterile Techniques’ by Mr. Gigeesh George, Surgical Skills Instructor and  ‘Universal Precautions’ led by Mr. Aboobakker KV, Nursing Skills Instructor.

The workshop provided an opportunity for the participants to get a one-to-one hands-on experience of basic surgical skills in a realistic, safe, error-forgiving and controlled environment. The course followed the current international guidelines for universal precautions, hand-washing, surgical scrubbing, operating theater protocol, knotting and suturing techniques. Over 34 doctors, medical students and nurses from different emirates participated in the intensive workshop which was accredited by the Ministry of Health, UAE for 5 CME Hrs.

Designed as a virtual hospital setting, CASH is a multidisciplinary educational facility that provides high-tech simulated set-up for clinical and communication skills teaching / learning and training for all health care professionals. CASH offers Training Programs to doctors, nurses, other health professionals and lay public as well.

The participants highly appreciated the conducive, reflective and encouraging environment of the sessions as reported in the post-workshop feedback. CASH plans to conduct more such sessions in the future.