Surgical simulation using virtual reality technology: design, implementation, and implications

Atremendous demand exists for enhancing the way by which physicians learn new invasive procedures. Appropriate education in new medical and surgical procedures is often outpaced by the desire of physicians to incorporate a procedure in their practice. Computerized surgical simulations have the potential for improving surgical morbidy and mortality. Studies have shown that, for a wide range of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, doctors doing their first few to several dozen cases are much more likely to make a greater number of errors. This phenomenon has been referred to as 'the learning curve'. Adequate proctoring of learners by experienced surgeons is cumbersome, as there are few surgeons experienced to proctor their colleagues. It is difficult for physicians, particularly those in rural areas, to travel to larger medical centers for training. The requirement also places a burden on experts who could become overwhelmed with proctoring requests, in addition to leaving their clinical responsibilities.