A Canadian simulation experience: faculty and student opinions of a performance evaluation study.

One hundred and forty-three students and 18 faculty at the University of Toronto participated in a study of the anaesthesia simulator as an evaluation tool. Both student and faculty opinions regarding the experience were elicited using questionnaires with a five-point scale, 1 = strongly disagree, 5 = strongly agree. Faculty and student opinion were similar and positive with respect to the use of the simulator and matching of educational objectives, its use as a learning experience, its use as an evaluation tool and the need for familiarity with the tool before use as an assessment method. This study supports the use of the simulator as an evaluation tool based on faculty and student opinions provided that prior exposure to the environment is offered.