Please login to view this media

- Talk
- Canada
Surgical Training in 2020: Insights Using Immersive Technologies
Description
In this presentation, Dr. Danny Goel shares insights on surgical training advancements, particularly emphasizing the role of immersive technologies like virtual reality (VR). He reflects on his journey as a medical professional and expresses gratitude for the opportunity to present at the Cy Frank Symposium, honoring the impact of Dr. Frank on his career and many others. Dr. Goel highlights the longstanding issue in surgical education where residents often learn directly on patients—a practice that hasn't significantly changed over the past century. He questions how to optimize surgical education while minimizing patient harm, discussing the importance of effective training modalities.
Dr. Goel introduces concepts such as "productive failure" in learning, which involves making mistakes in a controlled environment to foster skill development. He points out the limitations of traditional surgical education relying on lectures, videos, and hands-on experiences with cadavers and simulators. He critiques the passive learning nature of these methods, emphasizing that active engagement leads to better retention and skills acquisition.
Exploring the potential of immersive technologies, Dr. Goel presents Precision OS, a VR platform designed for surgical education. He explains how VR can facilitate repeated practice in a risk-free environment, enabling learners to engage in realistic scenarios and learn from their mistakes at their own pace. He shares findings from studies indicating that VR training can significantly enhance learning speed and technical proficiency compared to traditional methods.
Dr. Goel acknowledges the need for a blended educational approach, combining VR with existing teaching modalities to create a comprehensive training program. He expresses optimism about the future of surgical education, envisioning a paradigm shift where VR training becomes integral before hands-on practice in the operating room, ultimately improving outcomes and patient safety.