Virtual surgery aims to replace risky training

摘要

Medical students would get their first 'feel' for spinal anaesthesia procedures if a new haptically enabled computer simulation system is widely adopted.rnClinical trials of the system are now under way at Cork University Hospital in Ireland and Pecs University in Hungary to explore whether virtual-reality simulations can accurately assess high-risk clinical skills without the need for physicians to practise on patients.rnThe trials are the culmination of a two-year European Union-funded project, the Medical Competency Assessment Procedure (MedCAP). The programme was designed to decrease spinal procedure injuries, including spinal headaches, cardiac arrest or neurological disorders.