Is there a role for simulators and simulation to advance surgeon training?
Simulation can be helpful in learning to identify the steps needed for example to complete a procedure. The haptics may be limited in the transfer of information to the trainee. Advances in the simulation modules will help. The drills utilized can help with eye/hand coordination and depth perception. These, however, cannot completely replace hands-on experience. This may become more apparent in revision surgery when working with a distorted anatomy. While no one is sure, what impact do you expect healthcare reform to have on Medicare changes (reimbursement) for bariatric surgery over the next five years? The number of bariatric surgery cases may increase with insurance reform. What would happen to a practice today if the barriers to access were gone? Do we have the infrastructure to accomplish this? The elimination of pre-existing clauses, lookbacks, and other insurance reforms may improve access to care. We may need to work with the panels or insurance exchanges that are developed in
