VirtaMed and the French Association of Surgery (AFC) will deliver simulation training to the front door of University Hospitals in France

VirtaMed and the French Association of Surgery (AFC) 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.”