27/02/2024
UCL's Radiography Program has just unveiled a brand-new VR Lab 👨⚕️🥽
And it's even the world's first VR solution that allows radiography students to receive feedback without the need for an instructor to be present, according to VitaSim, the manufacturer behind it 😃
With VR technology, students can practice essential skills over and over 💪
For example, how to take quality X-ray images of wrists, knees, shoulders, and feet.
"It's a great start to get a lot of repetition into your backbone," says Max Baastrup, a radiography student in his second semester 🙋♂️
"I feel more prepared to go into practice at a hospital and meet patients," says fellow student Kathrine Nielsen 🙋♀️
Max and Kathrine have just gone through a practice-preparation course in their program.
During this, they used the new VR X-Ray Simulator.
"I've gained a good understanding of what makes a good X-ray image," says Kathrine.
"For example, how to position what you're imaging, and how to adjust the X-ray tube," she says.
The VR technology supplements that students can also practice taking X-ray images with real X-ray equipment in the program's X-ray room 👍
"The advantage of VR is that it allows us to take lots of extra pictures," says Kathrine.
"It makes me feel more calm and clear before I go out to meet patients. It also means I can focus more on the patient and give them a better experience," she says.
Students also have access to VR technology outside of class.
"I like to have peace around me when I practice. So, I've also used the VR technology in my free time," says Max.
"It can be hard to understand the theory if you just read about it. So, it means a lot to me to get it in my hands, and the VR solution is straightforward to use," he says.
"The VR technology also has the advantage that you can 'peel off' the skin and see the bones while you're conducting an examination," says Kathrine 🦴
"It makes it easier to see and understand what you're doing," she says.
Both Max and Kathrine have started their first of several longer internships at a hospital this week.
