[Simulator training in anesthesia. Applications and value].

Simulation has gained an important role in medical education and continuing education in the field of anaesthesia and emergency medicine. This article gives background information on how full-scale simulators are applied in medical education as well as in continuing education for advanced anesthesia and scientific applications. Acceptance of training seems enhanced by inclusion of the human factor aspect, since this has proven to be a major source for the development of critical situations in our specialty. Furthermore, drawbacks of the simulators available and the current training availability in Germany is described.