Virtual reality is a tool that the world offers full possibilities to those who have the financial means to access it. Within the field of health and specifically, for students of the Faculty of Health Sciences, this device can change the current model of teaching that is carried out in the school. For it has already happened.
At the School of Radiology of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Malacca, professor and radiologist Francis Sendra teaches his classes using a virtual model installed on the campus computers where he teaches.
In this program, students with their avatar can enter the simulation program with the ability to perform activities there, such as discussions about this specialty, conversations or simply chatting with each other in this universe. “It’s pretty much like a video game,” Sendra said.
Although it is a new form of teaching, the radiologist intends to go a step further in the way of educating through virtual reality and in the near future he wants to jump to a full virtual simulation, as the doctor showed in an interview to Medical Writing.
Direct simulation within the medical office
“For now, this new form of education that we use does not include a complete virtual simulation, that is, the use of virtual glasses and accessories, but students access this simulated world through their computer monitor,” he explained.
In this sense, Sendra stated that they “start” to have contact with companies to collaborate and develop some applications. Specifically for visual simulation. “We want to enter not only the school, but the medical consultation, where things happen and simulate what can happen without manual skills involved,” he had an impact.
So he acknowledged that the development is still “in its infancy” in his group and this, because only now plans are being proposed to see if they can start implementing their idea. “It is very important to simulate the environment, you are in the room and the interaction is very similar to reality,” he said.
Other universities that use virtual reality
Sendra has been using this type of teaching application for “almost” twelve years thanks to the company in San Francisco that offered it and developed it for this purpose. Although it is something new, health experts declare that “they are not the only ones in Spain”. The authors were the Family Medicine and Community Society (Semfyc), who were the ones who taught this virtual resource. “Don’t use Miser anymore,” he said.
“There are other facilities that can also be used by them, such as the Distance University of Madrid (Udima) and the University of Salamanca, located in the area of Pharmacology”, he concluded.
Although they contain statements, information or notes from institutions or health professionals, the information contained in Redacción Médica has been published and prepared by journalists. We recommend that the reader consult a healthcare professional with any health questions.
