Surgical Training Using VR and Robotics Will Change the Medical Industry Beyond 2023 for the Better

By Bobby Carlton

New technologies such as VR, robotics and AI are cost effective and improve training.

Medical professionals have long been fascinated by the potential of virtual and augmented reality to improve the efficiency of performing medical procedures such as operations. Virtual reality-based training platform Fundamental Surgery aims to provide surgeons and other healthcare professionals with the most realistic and engaging training experiences possible.

A recent VRScout article looks at a new partnership between FundamentalVR and Haply Robotics, and how medical professionals will use Fundamental Surgery to provide more realistic training experiences using the company’s portable haptic devices. The partnership will allow the platform to improve its features and provide even better services to healthcare professionals.

According to Richard Vincent, the company’s CEO, FundamentalVR is always looking for new ways to improve its software-as-a-service platform to improve the medical training experience for all hospitals and schools.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Haply Robotics – a leader in kinesthetic grounded haptics – and continue to support our medical device and pharmaceutical partners’ educational programs to allow better product adoption by advancing our strategy for a hardware agnostic open platform and its skills transfer capabilities,” said Vincent.

Medical training is essential for healthcare professionals to acquire the knowledge, skills and expertise necessary to diagnose, treat and manage various illnesses and medical conditions. It plays a crucial role in ensuring that patients receive safe, effective and high-quality care.

Medical training typically involves a combination of academic coursework, hands-on clinical experience and ongoing professional development. It covers a broad range of topics including anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, medical ethics, patient communication and disease management.

In general, traditional medical training has big benefits.

1. Improved patient outcomes: Medical training equips healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills they need to make accurate diagnoses, develop effective treatment plans and provide high-quality care that leads to better patient outcomes.
2. Reduced medical errors: Healthcare professionals who undergo rigorous medical training are better equipped to avoid medical errors such as misdiagnosis, medication errors and surgical complications.
3. Increased patient trust: Patients are more likely to trust and have confidence in healthcare professionals who have completed rigorous medical training, which can lead to improved patient satisfaction and better health outcomes.
4. Advancements in medical science: Medical training is essential for advancing medical science and developing new treatments and technologies that improve patient care.

As great as traditional training is, the medical industry sees cutting edge technology greatly improving how people are training and big ROI.

Vincent noted that the partnership with Haply Robotics will allow the company to continue to provide more effective and engaging training experiences and take the old ways of training into a more impactful and effective learning environment. It will also allow it to expand its educational training programs and improve the adoption of its platform by pharmaceutical and medical device partners.

VR and robotics have already started to revolutionize medical training by providing a safe and controlled environment for healthcare professionals to practice their skills and gain experience. This, along with voice AI technology and automation, will give healthcare professionals the tools needed to provide better care for their patients.

Here are some ways VR and robotics together can improve medical training:

1. Simulation-based training: VR can provide high-fidelity simulation-based training that allows healthcare professionals to practice procedures and surgeries in a virtual environment without risking harm to real patients. This training approach can help reduce medical errors and improve patient outcomes.
2. Enhanced interactivity: VR and robotics can also offer enhanced interactivity by allowing trainees to interact with virtual patients and medical equipment and train in a realistic and intuitive way. This can help improve hand-eye coordination, dexterity and spatial awareness, which are critical training components.
3. Remote training: With VR and robotics, medical training can be conducted remotely, enabling trainees to access training modules from any location. This can be particularly beneficial for trainees in remote or underserved areas who may not have access to traditional training facilities.
4. Personalized learning: VR and robotics can also offer personalized learning experiences, allowing trainees to tailor their training to their individual needs and progress at their own pace. This can help improve engagement and retention of knowledge during training.
5. Cost-effective: Finally, VR and robotics can be more cost-effective than traditional training methods, as they eliminate the need for expensive equipment and supplies. This can help reduce the overall cost of medical education and make it more accessible to a wider range of students.

Overall, VR and robotics have the potential to transform medical training by providing a safe, interactive and cost-effective way for healthcare professionals to gain the skills and experience they need to provide high-quality care to patients.

Colin Gallacher, the President and Co-founder of Haply Robotics, noted that the partnership will allow the company to provide more realistic training experiences. Through the use of its devices, FundamentalVR will be able to enhance its virtual environment and provide even better services to healthcare professionals for training and to improve patient care.

For more information about FundamentalVR and Haply Robotics for medical training, visit here.