Book excerpt: This book highlights the distinction between "how to teach" and "how to practice," emphasizing the importance of effective teaching skills in conveying information and skills to others. The authors' extensive experience and research make this book a comprehensive and authoritative guide to effective teaching methods for the challenging task of teaching the epidural technique. Traditionally, teaching this technique has relied on observation and hands-on experience with a tutor. However, the book proposes the use of simulators and other new tools to aid learning and explores methods of assessing learning outcomes. Additionally, the volume editor draws on his 30 years of experience as a clinical teacher and current scientific studies to develop a comprehensive understanding of effective teaching methods. The book also discusses promising new tools, such as virtual reality, metaverse, and eye-tracking-based teaching, which have the potential to revolutionize the way medical professionals learn and practice clinical skills. By exploring these emerging technologies, the book offers a forward-looking perspective on the future of medical education. Overall, this book is a valuable resource for those interested in teaching the epidural technique and for medical educators more broadly. Its consideration of new technologies makes it forward-looking and provides insights into the future of medical education.