EVMS, AMERICAN COLLEGE OF SURGEONS LAUNCH WEB SITE
DEDICATED TO MEDICAL SIMULATION

NORFOLK: Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS), in conjunction with the American College of Surgeons (ACS), has developed a comprehensive database aimed at increasing collaboration among product developers, medical professionals and researchers as well as general awareness of the emerging field of medical modeling and simulation (MMS).

The database, publicly available at www.medicalmodsim.com, includes more than 200,000 resources covering all aspects of the field of medical modeling and simulation that previously existed only in a diffuse network of information sources.

“The goal is to increase the use and quality of medical modeling and simulation,” said C. Donald Combs, PhD, associate dean for planning and health professions at EVMS. “We all have an interest in growing the field.”

MMS encompasses three main elements: the creation of models that with reasonable accuracy mirror reality, the analysis of such models, and the creation of simulators based on those models. It brings virtual reality from the realm of science fiction to the medical classroom and the operating room, and as the field has gained attention, the volume of research and development activity has gone up exponentially.

Seeing the potential to help the nascent sector, Dr. Combs and his colleagues compiled existing data that cover everything from research publications and convention proceedings to product details that touched on medical modeling and simulation. Bringing all this information to one user-friendly platform means that individuals beginning new projects don’t have to worry about duplicating work that’s already been done.

“People can really get a firm idea of what’s out there before they embark on their own project,” Dr. Combs said.

L. D. Britt, MD, FACS, chair of the EVMS Department of Surgery and vice-chair of the Board of Regents of the American College of Surgeons, helped facilitate the partnership that saw the ACS about cosponsor the database, a move that fits with the ACS’ national leadership in promoting the use of MMS as a training tool to improve surgical practice.

"This database will be a vital resource for physicians, educators, and others interested in advancing the use of simulation in surgical and medical education,” said Ajit K. Sachdeva, MD, FACS, FRCSC, director of the ACS Division of Education.

The driving principle behind the database’s development is to provide a central jumping-off point for new partnerships in MMS. Advances stemming from such partnerships are crucial in a world where the medical field is evolving constantly thanks to advances that increasingly make technology such as machine-aided surgery a physical extension of the practicing surgeon. This reality demands new training possibilities for both upcoming and practicing physicians, and the use of simulators for training, instead of actual patients, benefits patient safety.

The database can be searched using any of nine browse folders, including two that list articles preselected by healthcare profession or surgical specialty. Additional browse folders will be added as new areas and demand are identified.

As the database evolves over time, its creators hope to incorporate it into a broader Web site–one including collective discussion features like forums and blogs–to further foster collaboration between researchers and developers. Other goals include developing ways to describe research based on its quality and importance, and creating research articles and presentations on high-priority simulators and procedures.

Established in 1973, Eastern Virginia Medical School is the product of a community initiative to fill a healthcare gap in the Southeast Virginia region of Hampton Roads. Today, EVMS houses world-class research and educational facilities, with nearly 800 students in its health professions, master’s degree, doctoral, and MD programs.

The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational organization of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical practice and to improve the care of the surgical patient. The College is dedicated to the ethical and competent practice of surgery. Its achievements have significantly influenced the course of scientific surgery in America and have established it as an important advocate for all surgical patients. The College has more than 72,000 members and is the largest organization of surgeons in the world.

Online April 3, 2008

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