Novel educational materials in medical training with 3D Modeling applications and simulation modalities(Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality) Erasmus Project

Project Title

Novel educational materials in medical training with 3D Modeling applications and simulation modalities(Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality)

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for higher education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2016

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses; ICT – new technologies – digital competences; Quality and Relevance of Higher Education in Partner Countries

Project Summary

It was necessary to obtain novel training modalities in medical education because of the limitations of cadaveric learning and limitation of education on living organisms. Traditional medical training had many draw backs as residency work hour restrictions, patient safety conflicts in the learning needs and lack of hands on workshops. These educational limitations provided a framework for the importance and necessity of training using simulation, 3D medical applications (VR and AR), printed models in medical field. The development of 3D Medical applications provided a novel training modality for continuing medical education (CME). Simulation and 3D medical applications would never be able to replace clinical experience and hands-on training; however, current simulation models might decrease the initial stages of the learning curve without compromising patient safety. The target of this project was to produce novel 3D medical models and innovative applications by using novel worldwide technologies for lifelong medical training based on urologic and surgical fields. This project also targeted to improve interdisciplinary and transnational approaches using novel technologies for medical education to accumulate existing experience.Our project was related to working on solid organs like prostate, kidney, and liver models. It was possible for surgeons to produce facsimiles of their patients’ body parts that need to be removed or replaced. With 3D printing, it might soon be possible to make a body part from inert materials in just a few hours with standardization of medical 3D modeling and it would be also possible to better understand of anatomical and pathological conditions. The target groups of this project was directly the medical students and residents who needs medical education and surgical training, indirectly all medical researchers who were supported by clinical and surgical anatomical education and training. It was easy to establishment of new scientific division on medical simulation modeling for surgical sciences and clinical anatomy in EU countriesWe aimed to innovate novel imaging platform for education and training by re-evaluating existing data using new software’s and 3D modalities. The complementary side of our project was to motivate other health care professionals adapting to novel medical training modalities in their specialties. Therefore our methodology that started with the creation of 3D training applications and ends with analysis of qualification and quantification of the training curriculum, will adopted to all related medical fields. 5 countries included to the project. All parties were eligible and expert on 3D medical applications, modeling and surgical training models. The expected impact of project objectives and topics on the participants, participant organizations and target groups was
– to integrate 3D medical modeling system in medical training curriculum
– to make a collaboration among the countries related with medical education training and novel 3D medical modeling
– to create teamwork on 3D medical applications and modeling in Europe
– to share academic and practical experience with the other countries in Europe
– to identify systematic syllabus on medical training using with new technologies
– to access easily novel training models like VR and AR simulators
– to affect positively research, teaching and patient care with using novel 3D medical applications in daily clinical practice and educational session
– to decrease surgical complications learning with 3D medical surgical models and reach the high performance with novel models
– to learn surgical anatomy with the best models, correct anatomy plans, correct surgical planning, and increased visualization of solid organ anatomy

Main fields were related to urology and general surgery for endoscopic and laparoscopic surgery training purposes. 50 pieces 3D normal/pathologic organ models were printed with high-quality material. Pathologic models were also used for training purposes using endoscopic instruments. Pathologic surgical models were created with process and polish of 3D printed models. Transnational project meetings, web-based on line activities, multiplier event, training/learning/teaching activities were performed during the project for dissemination of outcomes. However, the outcomes ere shared via social media and webpage with the colleagues who were intend to learn more information about the 3D Medical applications, modeling and novel training methods in Europe. Dissemination process started with local competencies of the partner countries. Each country shared the project outcomes with their national database, and getting information from the partner organization about the other project outcomes are crucial. Finally, all outcomes and produced innovations were spread to the European Union Foundations and societies, non-governmental organization for CME after the ending of the project.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 190653,75 Eur

Project Coordinator

HACETTEPE UNIVERSITESI & Country: TR

Project Partners

• UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI ROMA TRE
• UNIVERZITA KARLOVA
• Hellenic Urological Association
• CHOSUN UNIVERSITY