Development of simulators in medical education.

The historical development of simulators is presented in respect to their application in medical training. Simulators allow, to some extent, practical training without any inconvenience for patients. The earliest simulators in the history of medicine were the obstetrical manikins introduced towards 1700 by father and son Grégoire of Paris and primarily intended for the instruction of lay people, i.e. midwives. Their further development is followed up to contemporary models of highly specialized use. Since 1960 simulators are more and more used for the training of doctors, nurses and laymen in resuscitation techniques. In combination with computers, high-fidelity simulators were created which, e.g., react to anaesthetics like real human beings. Conclusions about future developments and uses of simulators in medical education, in view of their history, are provided.