VirtaMed News

VirtaMed, the world leader in medical training using mixed reality simulators, and the French Association of Surgery (AFC), the main visceral surgery association in France, are excited to kick off their combined training initiative at the AFC Congress and introduce a new mobile surgical simulation lab.

The main theme of this year’s congress is simulation and its role in medical education. The benefits of simulation are not new to the medical community, however the Covid-19 pandemic has further highlighted the significance of this training tool. Leading by example, the surgical simulation lab overcomes the ongoing limitations in patient access, as well as the suspension of elective surgeries, and offers the opportunity to maintain medical training. It is the expression of both VirtaMed’s and AFC’s commitment to find innovative ways to deliver training.

The mobile simulation lab is equipped with the latest and most advanced laparoscopic simulator, the VirtaMed LaparoS™. Over the next 6 months, the lab will travel to more than 20 medical institutions across France and ensure that surgical residents can safely practice their skills outside of the operation room.

This training initiative is building on a similar project that VirtaMed started in Switzerland, where more than 200 residents benefited from access to the LaparoS™ simulator. The VirtaMed team cannot wait to replicate this success in France!

Dr. Magid Haddouchi, International Business Manager at VirtaMed, said, “I am so proud that VirtaMed and the AFC are joining together to deliver what I believe will be the most impactful medical training in laparoscopic surgery. The mobile simulation lab will allow us to bring expert-developed courses and the most realistic simulator to residents all over France. In this exceptional context of the pandemic, our mission will remain to support Education.”

Prof. Patrick Pessaux, President of the AFC, added, “The training of residents and future generations of surgeons is an important subject for the AFC and it is why simulation-based training was chosen as the main theme of this year’s congress. The lessons drawn from this healthcare crisis prompt us to rethink the way residents are trained. I am delighted that we are partnering with VirtaMed to bring this new training initiative to our residents at all the University Hospitals in France very soon.”

About the French Association of Surgery (AFC) 

Founded over a century ago, the French Association of Surgery has counted among its members the biggest names in French surgery and nowadays consists of more than 2000 surgeons. The AFC brings together several specialties of visceral surgery: oeso-gastric, hepato-bilio-pancreatic, colorectal, endocrine, parietal and bariatric surgery. The AFC 2020 annual congress takes place from 2-4 September in Paris at the Beffroi de Montrouge. This year’s hybrid event combines on-site and virtual sessions. To find out more, visit www.congres-afc.fr/ or www.afc.chirurgie-viscerale.org 

Contact 

Sylvie Merran–Ifrah  
smerran@agencebluemoon.fr 
+33 06 03 03 90 87 

About VirtaMed 

VirtaMed is the world leader in medical training using mixed reality simulators for minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in general surgery, ob/gyn, orthopedics, and urology. Combining virtual reality graphics with original instruments and anatomic models for realistic tactile feedback, VirtaMed partners with medical societies and medical device companies.

Contact 

Phil Norris 
phil.norris@virtamed.com 
+41 44 542 91 11