Usually, a when doctors are being trained to perform operations, they learn by practising on real, live human patients -- something patients are not always happy about. Now, doctors learning surgery at a Toronto hospital are being trying a new method of learning.

The surgical skills center at Mt. Sinai hospital is a sort of training camp for residents (new doctors). There are only a few such centres in the world.

Students practise stitches and cutting on latex intestines, rather than live patients. The latex looks and feels like the real thing. For students like Dr. Deepa Kumar, they're an even better teaching tool.

"It's a great advantage because you can stop and talk and take things out and start again." Residents learn skills ranging from basic surgery to reviving a patient who isn't breathing.

"The feedback I have received here has helped me to go home and perfect my technique," says Dr. Douglas Grace. "I think that it has made me a much better surgical resident."

Dr. Richard Reznick is one of the instructors at the center. "I think that it's probably fair to say that we're one of the leaders in technical skill training," he said, "in terms of understanding how it's accessed and how it's taught."

Soon residents might be learning through 3-D animation programs and virtual patients. For now, residents might have to settle for the latex simulations.

3. What learns skills ranging from basic surgery to reviving a patient who isn't breathing?