🩺 Surgeons Trained Using Gaming Hardware

A UK-developed programme that uses gaming headsets to train surgeons in complex reconstructive procedures is gaining global recognition, and is now being explored as a tool to support frontline medics in Gaza and Ukraine.

Developed by Professor Jagtar Dhanda, the Virtual Reality in Medicine and Surgery (VRiMS) programme began during the Covid pandemic as a means of delivering remote surgical training. Today, it has evolved into a transformative model reshaping the future of surgical education, with its impact now formally evaluated and set to be presented this December at the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) Annual Scientific Meeting.

Recent research led by Ameen Mahmood (Imperial College London) demonstrates that VR-based surgical training is more effective than traditional teaching methods such as lectures or live observation. The study revealed that trainee confidence in performing major reconstructive procedures doubled after just one hour of VR-based training.

In a UK-first, the VRiMS Women in Surgery group recently conducted a fully synchronised remote training session of a plastic reconstructive procedure, connecting surgeons across different locations in real time through VR headsets. This innovation not only enhances access to high-quality training but also supports inclusivity and equity across the surgical profession.

Combining 360° video, digital overlays, and immersive VR environments, the programme delivers hands-on learning experiences that are already benefiting surgical teams in low-resource environments, including Brazil, with further deployments being explored in Ukraine and Gaza.

To date, VRiMS has recorded over 250 surgical procedures and established 11 international training hubs, creating a framework for globally accessible, standardised, and repeatable surgical education.

“The data speak volumes — significant improvements in both procedural and anatomical confidence across hundreds of trainees, backed by robust statistical analysis,” said Professor Jagtar Dhanda. “This technology is delivering exactly what we hoped it would — accessible, effective, and equitable surgical training.”

🎥 The full evaluation will be presented at the BAPRAS Annual Scientific Meeting this December.

🔗 Read Full Article Here