Virtual reality training 'improves surgeons' performance'

16:41 29th January 2009

A new report has suggested that trainee surgeons can worker faster and more effectively if they receive training from virtual reality simulators, OnMedica reported yesterday (January 28th).

Dr Kurinichi Gurusamy and his colleagues from the University Department of Surgery at the Royal Free Hospital compared various types of IT training to see their effect on surgeons learning their trade.

They found that of the 612 trainees, those who received virtual reality training posted less errors and better operating times than those who used video, laparoscopic or no training at all.

Dr Gurusamy told the news provider: "If we are going to meet the requirements of the European Working Time Directive and the Department of Health's modernising medical careers initiative, we need to develop highly efficient means of teaching new surgical skills. Virtual reality techniques may fulfil that need."

The authors of the Cochrane Systematic Review, in which the data appeared, were all from hospitals in London and Milton Keynes.

The Royal College of Surgeons currently runs training courses which involve students being interactive with computer screens, according to OnMedica.