Changing Medical teaching methods with the “Virtual Reality Simulation Project”
Over the years, the use of information technology in Medicine has led to improvements in management, examinations, nursing and treatment, and been invaluable in the teaching of Health Sciences.
The theoretical nature of the teaching of Medicine has caused problems because of the lack of practical learning tools. To solve this problem, Duy Tan University has opened the Center of Visualization and Simulation (CVS) to develop innovative 3D Virtual Reality Simulation applications to improve medical education.
At the “IT Application Development in Hospital Management and Health Care” Conference, hosted on March 15th at Hanoi Medical University, Dr. Le Nguyen Bao, DTU Vice-Provost, who is in charge of Technology and Engineering at DTU, introduced CVS, its objectives and some of the products already developed there. CVS has focused on simulating management and clinical practice systems. CVS is also collaborating with medical institutions in Vietnam to develop and transfer diagnostic products and improve the quality of health-care workers.
Dr. Le Nguyen Bao with participants
The CVS has successfully developed applications, including: A skeletal system application which can run on both desktop computers and mobile phones, with 254 bone models divided in different anatomical groups; each bone has its important anatomical landmarks described in detail; A muscular system simulation with 519 muscle models, divided into anatomical groups, with muscular origins and insertions clearly shown, fully labeled with name and description; A nervous system simulation, with 200 models divided into two main groups, shows brain nerves and others, brain nerves are accompanied by details about their exact interfaces and insertions passing through the cranial foramina and anatomical landmarks of the brain and spinal cord are shown in the 3D models.
DTU - A potential partner for the development of medical teaching materials
With its many CVS medical simulations, DTU has become a potential partner for the development of educational materials. The Medical program is new but to support it DTU wisely invested in special human resources, facilities and IT techniques.
Experience the 3D Virtual Body, via Spectrum Screening Technology
Other universities are impressed with DTU’s strength in IT development, with the quantity of its international scientific publications and its international partnerships, and are eager to work the DTU. After the conference, the Hanoi Medical University discussed a development partnership.
DTU would develop the IT tools and the Hanoi Medical University would act as an experienced consultant. The completed products could be used and marketed by the two universities. They could also form an alliance to partner with foreign institutions. DTU is already working with two American universities, the University of Illinois and Pittsburgh University. In addition, DTU has partnered with 18 local hospitals to allow students to work with doctors and practice clinically with patients, at the Family Hospital, the Danang C Hospital, the 17th Military Zone Hospital, the 199th Hospital of the Ministry of Public Security, the Quang Nam General Hospital and others.
(Media Center)