UGRA in VR: A Virtual Reality Simulation for Training Anaesthetists

Abstract

We present a virtual reality training simulator for medical interns practicing ultrasound-guided regional anaesthesia (UGRA). UGRA is a type of nerve block procedure performed commonly by critical care doctors such as anaesthetists, emergency medicine physicians, and paramedics. This procedure is complex and requires intense training. It is traditionally taught one-on-one by experts and is performed on simulated models long before attempting the procedure on live patients. We present our virtual reality application that allows for training this procedure in a simulated environment. The use of virtual reality makes training future doctors performing UGRA safer and more cost efficient than current approaches.