The training of a surgeon includes the acquisition of a number of characteristics, including a cognitive knowledge base, problem formulation and decision-making abilities, appropriate psychosocial relationships, and other attributes that can be measured with objective testing, such as national board or specialty certifying examinations. A battery of sophisticated devices is being created to teach and provide objective evaluations of the trainee's technical abilities. These innovative state-of-the-art simulation devices, used to teach basic skills and surgical tasks through repetitive...