From ‘See One, Do One’ to ‘Simulate, Master, Heal’: Bengaluru Strengthens Its Role in Advanced Surgical Training
As healthcare systems worldwide continue to focus on improving patient safety, surgical precision and clinical outcomes there is a growing emphasis on strengthening how surgeons are trained. In this context, the launch of the Global Surgical Institute (GSI) in Bengaluru marks a significant step towards advancing surgical education through structured, simulation-led learning.
India has long been recognized for its contribution to the global medical workforce with thousands of Indian trained doctors practicing internationally and the country continuing to be a preferred destination for medical value travel. Alongside this strong foundation there is an increasing opportunity to further enhance hands on surgical training in line with evolving global practices.
Traditionally surgical education has followed an apprenticeship-based approach and often described as “see one, do one, teach one” This model has played a vital role in developing generations of skilled surgeons. Today, simulation-based training is being increasingly integrated as a complementary method to further strengthen clinical preparedness in a safe and controlled environment.
The Global Surgical Institute has been established as a multi-specialty training facility focused on skill development through simulation before real-world clinical exposure. The aim is to support surgeons in building both technical proficiency and confidence through a structured learning pathway.
Commenting on the initiative Dr. B S Ajaikumar, Chairman and CEO of Healthcare Global Enterprises “India has a strong legacy of medical excellence and as healthcare continues to evolve, so must our approach to training. Simulation-based learning offers an opportunity to enhance surgical preparedness by allowing clinicians to refine their skills in a structured environment. Initiatives like the Global Surgical Institute aim to complement existing training systems and contribute to improved patient care outcomes and training led by a distinguished faculty of highly accomplished surgeons.
At the core of GSI’s approach is a progressive five-stage training pathway aligned with international practices:
• Box trainers for foundational motor skills and hand-eye coordination
• Virtual reality simulators to replicate complex surgical scenarios
• Animal labs for tissue handling experience
• Cadaver labs for anatomical realism
• Supervised operating room exposure as the final stage
This step-by-step progression is designed to support surgeons as they transition from simulated environments to clinical practice with greater confidence and competence.
Globally there is a growing body of evidence supporting simulation-based training and indicating benefits such as improved efficiency, enhanced skill retention and reduced likelihood of intraoperative errors. As a result, many institutions are increasingly incorporating simulation into their teaching frameworks alongside traditional methods.
Sharing his perspective, Dr. Bhagavan B.C., Vice-Chancellor of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS)“As medical education continues to evolve it is important to adopt a balanced approach that integrates both established training methods and emerging technologies. Simulation-based learning can play a valuable role in enhancing skill development when used alongside conventional clinical training. Such initiatives contribute to strengthening the overall quality of healthcare education and ultimately benefit patient care.”
As medicine advance there is a collective effort across institutions to continuously improve training standards. Initiatives like GSI reflect this broader commitment to building safe with more structured and future-ready surgical education systems while complementing the strong foundations that already exist.
