Would-be surgeons to train in a virtual world

Clydebank’s Golden Jubilee National Hospital has recently launched a virtual 3D surgical programme to help train future surgeons.

The first of its kind in Scotland, the interactive programme will allow medical students to learn and practice surgical techniques without the need to work on dummies or cadavers. They will be able to practice repeatedly and to proceed at their own pace. 

 

Clydebank’s Golden Jubilee National Hospital

 

Currently, the programme is being employed to teach knee anatomy and regional anaesthesia in Golden Jubilee’s Enhanced Recovery Programme.Cabinet Secretary for Health and Well-being Alex Neill attended the programme’s launch to get a first-hand view of the new system. He described it as an exciting development that demonstrated how new technology could be used for the benefit of patients in Scotland.

The man behind the project is Dr Robert Robi Zimmer. Dr Zimmer is a consultant anaesthetist with the Golden Jubilee’s orthopaedic service and is also a software development consultant. He acknowledges that the 3D training programme is in its early stages but believes that it has great potential and will benefit patients throughout Scotland.

 

Dr Zimmer hopes that the programme will help improve understanding of the anatomy and that at some stage it will move beyond the classroom and be used as a tool for helping patients to better understand their condition and treatment.

The Golden National Jubilee Hospital is already renowned for its use of computer assisted orthopaedic surgery and the development of this new virtual 3D training technique will surely enhance its already considerable reputation.

A Functional Virtual Reality Endoscopic Surgery Trainer

Qualifications Required to become a Radiographer

Radiographers are at the front line of modern medicine. They use a range of techniques and equipment to produce high quality images of disease or injury and offer treatment. This is integral for patients to receive the best kind of overall treatment.

In many cases it is essential for doctors to have the images that radiographers produce in order to be able to make an accurate diagnosis. It is all thanks to the skills of the radiographers that many patients are steered towards recovery

Types of radiographer

There are two main types of radiographer: diagnostic and therapeutic. Diagnostic radiographers use technology to produce images of injury and disease. They use X-rays, ultrasound, fluoroscopy, CT and MRI to create these images, which can be used for anything from fractured bones to cancer.

Therapeutic radiographers use techniques such as simulation and computer planning to aid in the treatment of cancer. In many cases this is the first defence against the disease and often has positive results. But what does it take to become a radiographer in the first instance?

Qualifications

Starting from the beginning, you need to know that radiographers are not doctors. Their skills are medical and they liaise and work closely with doctors and nurses, but the qualification exists as a distinct entity.

Radiographers need to complete a degree at university level to become fully qualified. But before getting on to a degree course you will need to have five or more GCSEs at grades A to C. You will also need to have at least two (but in most cases three or more) A-Levels at grade C or above. A-Level equivalents such as the Access Course, VCE and Scottish qualifications are accepted too.

However, these are just general guidelines and you have to remember that every institution of higher education will have their own criteria for entry. Given that demand to study radiography is high; you may be expected to have more qualifications than those listed here to be considered for some courses.

It is usually necessary to have GCSEs or A-Levels in science subjects. Candidates may not be considered if they don’t have any science-based qualifications. It’s also a good idea to have expressed a prior interest in the field. Any work experience you have in the area or related subjects will be taken into account on your application.

Degree course

If you are accepted on to a degree course you will begin the three-year process of learning to be a radiographer. Courses are usually divided between practical and theoretical learning. At the end of the degree, provided you have passed all your exams, you will become a qualified radiographer and be eligible for work.

Of course, the learning doesn't stop there. As a full time radiographer working in any field you will need to keep abreast of all the latest developments. You will be working so closely with technology that is constantly evolving, so you will need constant training in new techniques and equipment. The battle against cancer is always ongoing, so therapeutic radiographers in particular will be at the cutting edge of medical technology.

The good news is that radiographers are always in high demand. So, should you be lucky enough to get a place on a course, getting a job at the end is a very realistic possibility.

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