A new device that uses gaming technology to help doctors in training test their surgical skills has been launched at the College of Anaesthetists in Dublin.
Specialists at Cork University Hospital (CUH) have led the design of the MedCap simulator, which is being used to prepare doctors for spinal anaesthesia.
The simulator recreates the touch and feel of surgery and uses a mathematical formula to calculate the quality of the procedure.
Consultant anaesthetist at CUH Professor George Shorten said the system should in time be rolled out for use in a variety of surgical procedures.
It will be used next to train doctors to treat nerve block.
The research team said it was the first attempt to apply this innovative approach to the world of medical learning.
Work on the EU-funded project took two years.
