Abstract / Summary
Importance: Simulation-based surgical training is increasingly adopted as a method to enhance surgical skill development while reducing the risk of harm to patients.Objective: This study aims to evaluate the level of exposure to, experiences with, and attitudes toward simulation-based surgical training among healthcare professionals from different countries.Design, setting, and participants: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between January 6 and January 25, 2026, in 49 hospitals located in Bangladesh, the United Kingdom, the Maldives, Syria, and India.The study included 112 participants comprising medical students, interns, postgraduate trainees, medical officers, and consultants.Main outcomes and measures: Simulation training exposure, modalities used, skills practiced, session frequency and duration, and perceived benefits.Results: Fifty-nine participants (52.7%) reported prior experience with simulation-based training.Benchtop trainers and cadaveric models were the most frequently used modalities, and suturing was the skill most commonly practiced.Most training sessions were conducted once annually and lasted less than two hours.A high proportion of participants reported improved understanding of procedural steps, increased confidence, and greater preparedness for clinical practice following simulation training.Conclusions and relevance: Simulation-based surgical training is utilized across a wide range of clinical settings and provides a valuable supplement to conventional surgical education, supporting skill development, confidence, and preparedness across diverse training environments.