Recruiting organization: Recruiting organization: Institute for Patient Safety (IfPS), Bonn University Hospital, Germany
Supervisor: Prof. Matthias Weigl
Doctoral Candidate: Kathrin Adamietz
Secondments: Medability GmbH, Germany (2 Months); The University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, Switzerland (2 Months)
Summary: Virtual- and augmented-reality technologies offer great potential for transforming both surgical training and interdisciplinary collaboration. Our project addresses challenges associated with utilization and implementation of VR/AR-based technologies in multidisciplinary tumor board meetings as well as surgical training practice, with particular focus to spine surgery. We aim to (1) Systematically assess requirements of stakeholders and workflow processes to effectively identify needs to be addressed by VR technology, ensuring optimal task and process fulfilment; (2) Assess the usability and utility of pilot VR technology for intended user and evaluate the possible barriers and facilitators of integrating such into clinical practice; (3) Investigate VR/AR-based training for surgeons, focusing on both technical as well as non-technical skills; and (4) Explore consequences for provider and patient outcomes in delivery of surgical care in spine surgery.
Background
In the field of surgery, virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) technologies are transforming both surgical training and interdisciplinary collaboration. VR/AR surgical simulators enhance technical skill acquisition but often neglect essential non-technical skills such as teamwork and decision-making. Similarly, the digitalization of tumor board meetings has facilitated expert collaboration but still presents limitations in visualization and interaction capabilities. VR/AR-facilitated tumor boards could address these limitations, yet their impact on teamwork and provider cognition remains unclear. My research investigates how VR technologies can optimize both surgical training with the example of spine procedures and tumor board meetings, focusing on their impact on teamwork, communication, and decision-making in clinical practice.
Approach
We conducted cognitive task analyses of existing work procedures in multidisciplinary tumor board meetings and spine procedures to further refine the VR/AR technologies and explore their potential integration and impact in surgical practice. Our aim is to assess how effectively these innovations enhance provider performance and improve patient care outcomes.
Our research team
The Institute for Patient Safety (IfPS), founded in 2009, is the first in Germany explicitly dedicated to research and teaching of patient safety. It is part of the University Hospital and Medical Faculty at the University of Bonn (Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn), Germany.
Led by Prof. Dr. Matthias Weigl, the interdisciplinary team consists of psychologists, physicians, nurses and health researchers. Our research focuses on the role of digital transformation and technology use in clinical care with particular attention to hospital care systems, provider performance, and patient care outcomes. International collaborations are established within a network of academic and industry partners.