Technology..

Just how far have we come...I got a taste of where technology has taken us to in regards to training sonographers. We had a visit from a company today which has taken the real patient out of the early  learning process and replaced it with a computer simulator!

Initially built to teach cardiac ultrasound, the company has been expanding over time to include other areas such as FAST scan (used in the emergency department) as well as obstetrics.

The demo was fascinating. Learning can be tailored to specific tasks, areas, levels of difficulty. Instructions can be given by the computer on how to move the camera to get the image required. A variety of results collated about how the student performed and specific feedback therefore given. And once a student has mastered the 'normal' images, a variety of pathologies can be uploaded!

The next step was the VR glasses! Looking at my (virtual) pregnant colleague I could walk around her to view the baby from different angles. It was quite surreal!

Aside from being amazing and super interesting, the cost and actual use in our practice would be very limited given that we are all experienced and we rarely have students. In certain settings, like teaching hospitals and practices, it would be a massive benefit allowing a student to practice, get their eye and  co- ordination in all before being set loose on a real patient!