With thirteen virtual reality stations and a robotics lab, the Center for Medical Innovation and Technology (CeMIT) Cologne is a cutting-edge facility at the University of Cologne. Since May 2024, students, medical residents, and nursing staff have been able to practice surgeries and emergency scenarios virtually here.
The advantage of training in a virtual environment is that if a mistake is made, it has no consequences for patients. However, the learning effect for the medical professionals undergoing training is the same as in a similar real-life situation. This has been demonstrated in several studies.
However, CeMIT is not intended merely to better prepare future medical professionals for their careers. “CeMIT is of crucial importance in preparing students for the wonderful field of surgery and the medical technology of the future, including artificial intelligence in everyday clinical practice and VR in determining the indications for major surgeries,” explains Professor Dr. Christiane J. Bruns, Head of the Department of General, Visceral, Oncological, and Transplant Surgery.
CeMIT is part of the Department of Surgery and plays an active role in counteracting the shortage of skilled professionals in the field of surgery. The VR lab was founded by Professor Dr. Hans Fuchs and Privat-Dozent Dr. Rabi Raj Datta, a senior physician and teaching coordinator at the department.
The University of Cologne Foundation funded the VR Lab’s equipment, including the necessary hardware and sensors, as well as the highly complex software programming.
Would you also like to support research and teaching at the University of Cologne? Then contact us today!