Virtual reality training platform for surgical assistants
The challenging staffing situation, the lack of capacity of operating theatres and the necessity for patient safety, all pose challenges for teaching in surgery. With OpTA-VR, we want to facilitate and improve training for surgical assistants (OTAs) through virtual reality-based (VR) training. These training courses can be carried out independently of location, time and, in some cases, personnel, and at low cost. Errors are identified and reflected on at an early stage, and the preparation and follow-up work required is minimal.
The target groups are university clinics, hospitals and medical device manufacturers. In this project, the university is responsible for defining the necessary requirements in collaboration with the user group, translating these into a specification for a VR training platform and ensuring usability by designing a user interface (UI) and carrying out user experience (UX) and usability tests. The university will also take care of the acquisition of university hospitals, which will be the first users to introduce the platform into scientifically supported practice.
Intensive tests with OTAs during the development phase will focus on the usability of the VR platform. Interviews with experienced OTAs and trainees will be used to identify the specific requirements of the platform and the modules in order to develop solutions through digital approaches.
