The CT trainer project, developed for the University of Udine, has been successful in making the training of future medical radiology technicians more accessible and safe thanks to a digital simulator.
Practising through the use of serious game to correctly and safely perform complex examinations and procedures, such as computed tomography, is possible and is already in place for the degree course in Radiology Techniques. The project addressed to university technical training is MOLO17’s contribution to the careers of tomorrow’s highly qualified healthcare professionals.
TiLancio press release – 11/02/2021
Higher education in Friuli Venezia Giulia finds “in house” technologically advanced and completely new answers to its needs from local hi-tech companies. This is the successful partnership between the University of Udine and MOLO17, the software house based in Pordenone, which has developed an innovative solution to allow students of the three-year degree course in Radiology Techniques at the University of Udine to simulate exams and exercises and thus be much better prepared for real practice.
The simulated trainer – says Rossano Girometti, coordinator of the degree course in Medical Radiology Techniques – helps make complex procedures such as computer tomography automatic.
Lecturers needed a safer and more readily available way to train future radiology technicians in the use of CT scanners, before they participate in live patient training. The use of real CT scanners with dummies is not always possible due to the limited periods of use of the scanners for teaching purposes. In addition, the University wanted to reduce the risks on real patients and lower the stress that comes with learning when working in real clinical settings. Given the problem, MOLO17 solved it by creating the 3D Unity engine:
A safe environment in which to experience simulated CT examinations that include both the virtual CT scanner, complete with control software on its console, a remote contrast fluid injector, a virtual patient with realistic interactions, and the ability to use real Dicom images to show the results of a real CT examination – explains CEO Daniele Angeli.
Furthermore, the system can be customised autonomously by teachers, creating exercises with Dicom images provided by the teachers themselves and with a basic knowledge of the Json language used to describe the clinical examination. In this way it is possible to customise the experience according to what is considered suitable for the students. By means of the solution created by MOLO17 students, in essence, test their skills in complete safety on virtual patients that correspond, however, to real clinical cases provided by the University Hospital of Udine. They can simulate rare clinical cases over and over again, hence reaching the real internship with a solid knowledge of the use of the CT machine and with the possibility to focus on what is impossible to simulate on the computer, starting with the relationship with the patient.
For our company – concludes Daniele Angeli – it was a gamble that we are sure we will win because it is precisely solutions like this that can mitigate, if not actually solve, many of the problems typical of training in complex environments such as hospitals. Our intention is not to replace the human aspect of training, but to facilitate it by removing the technical aspects and stimulating attention to procedural details in order to guarantee ever higher standards of service.
Press review on CT Trainer project
- TiLancio – Article “MOLO17 inventa simulatore informatico per formare radiologi. Alleanza con l’Università di Udine”
- Il Friuli – Article “Formazione, alleanza tra Ateneo di Udine e MOLO17”
- Friuli Oggi – Article “Azienda friulana inventa il simulatore per le Tac e c’è l’accordo con l’Università”
- Informazione.it – Article “MOLO17 inventa simulatore le tac, accordo con l’Università di Udine”
- Tecnogazzetta – Article “Alleanza tra Università di Udine e MOLO17”
- Messaggero Veneto – Article “Simulatore per le Tac: azienda pordenonese stipula un’intesa con l’ateneo di Udine”
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