Medical skills were previously acquired through supervised practice in an apprenticeship system. Due to decreasing patient availability, the increasing demand for a rapidly growing number of complex and potentially hazardous procedures, and the rising number of trainees, the opportunity to become competent in a medical skill using traditional training methods is diminishing.

Procedural training utilising simulation addresses this directly. Patient involvement in the early acquisition of a skill is minimised, and skills can be practiced repeatedly without patient harm. Expert feedback facilitates reinforcement, while training remains student-focused and can be tailored to individual needs. With greater control over the skill set and the elimination of reliance on fortuitous clinical opportunities, simulation training results in faster, more efficient skill acquisition.