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Virtual reality (VR) surgery training
- Safe, risk-free practice: trainees rehearse complex procedures without endangering patients. (See Satava 2001)
- Repetition and deliberate practice: unlimited, standardized repetitions improve skill acquisition and retention. (Ericsson 2004)
- Objective assessment and feedback: metrics (time, errors, instrument paths) enable measurable competency-based evaluation.
- Exposure to rare/complicated cases: simulated variations prepare surgeons for low-frequency events.
- Reduced training cost and resource use: less need for cadavers, OR time, and proctoring; scalable across institutions.
- Faster skill transfer: simulation accelerates early learning curve, reducing intraoperative errors when transitioning to live surgery. (Seymour et al. 2002)
- Team and crisis training: multiuser VR supports interprofessional communication and emergency scenarios.
- Ethical advantages: minimizes trainee impact on patient welfare during learning.
Remote (tele-) surgeries
- Access to specialist care: patients in underserved or remote regions gain access to expert surgeons.
- Rapid response and reduced delay: specialists can operate across distances, improving time-sensitive care.
- Resource optimization: centralizes expertise, allowing specialists to serve multiple sites without travel.
- Enhanced collaboration and mentoring: real-time guidance from remote experts supports local teams and training.
- Reduced patient transfer and associated risks/costs: local treatment avoids transport morbidity and logistics.
- Potential for ergonomics and surgeon well-being: telementoring and remote consoles can offer better ergonomics and scheduling flexibility.
- Data-rich procedures: remote systems can integrate imaging, AI assistance, and logging for quality improvement.
References (select)
- Satava RM. Virtual reality surgical simulator: the first steps. Surg Endosc. 2001.
- Seymour NE et al. Virtual reality training improves operating room performance. Ann Surg. 2002.
- Ericsson KA. Deliberate practice and acquisition of expert performance. Psychol Rev. 2004.