On the training horizon: Digitally enhanced, hands-on surgical training

Positive feedback from the surgical community
Based on an optical tracking technology invented and developed by Buschbaum and Windolf at ARI, the training concept originated at the AO Davos Courses 2019 with a discussion about how AO training could best be digitalized.

“The combination of hands-on experience with a realistic X-ray simulation engine and optical tracking makes this training truly groundbreaking,” Buschbaum said, adding that the training concept has the support of the AO’s Competency-based Training and Assessment Program (CTAP) committee and could be integrated into the CTAP education framework as an intermediate learning tool for basic skills during early-stage training.

“Today, we are at the prototype stage collecting feedback from AO Trauma surgeons and AO medical fellows. Feedback so far has been very positive: "Users see a clear need of such a training tool to improve surgical skills," he said.


Globally renowned for excellence in education, the AO underscores its innovation legacy with strategy fund support for a new generation of digitally enhanced hands-on surgical training.