What I did on my Summer Vacation

Several weeks ago, a few MSIS'ers made a trip to the University of Toledo (Go Rockets) to tour the UT-Interprofessional Immersive Simulation Center. This one year old facility is home to the University of Toledo's Clinical Simulation Center, Standardized Patient Program as well as a suite of virtual reality spaces to assist in educating the students of the University of Toledo.

The purpose of the field trip was to give the Solutioneers that are working on the new and improved Standardized Patient suite in the new Taubman Library an idea of what other universities are doing and to have an opportunity to show the folks in Toledo the innovative Google Glass Project that MSIS has developed.

Instructors observe an ER Trauma Simulation in process

As we toured the standardized patient suite and the simulation areas it became evident that the University of Toledo Interprofessional Immersive Simulation Center was truly "Interprofessional". The center is used by many different colleges and for several disciplines. The folks at UT showed us examples in the simulation center of some of the real world scenarios that they run on a daily basis. During our tour we observed an Emergency Room trauma simulation assessment exam in process.
As we moved into the 3D cave unit we were able to run a scenario that it used by the University Department of Public Safety, Toledo Police Department and the Military personnel that utilize the facility. The Cave was a totally immersive room with 48 OLED Screens above, below, front, left and right of the user. The interactive glasses and wand give the user total control of the environment. Evident from the video, it is truly engaging.

3D curved wall made up of 16 Barco Flat Panel Displays 

One of the remarkable uses of technology was the curved virtual reality wall. This room is used for medical education. The demonstration that we viewed was an anatomy class. The student wear 3D glasses and hold a wand. The wand can manipulate the environment. We were able to explore a virtual hospital room, trauma room and surgical suite. They showed us a virtual cadaver that can be explored by anatomy student in fully immersive 3D.

The University of Toledo is constantly trying to find new ways for students to use this amazing facility. Recently, the criminal justice students and paralegal students were called to a virtual crime scene in the IISC. This was a simulated crime scene that used the simulation center mannequins and dorm room furniture that the students could investigate in real time. The local Toledo News covered the story and it can be viewed HERE.

Gracie Trinidad demonstrates the
Google Glass project

Finally, as we all gathered back in a conference room, we all discussed the use of technology for medical education. Before we departed for the day, Gracie Trinidad took time to demonstrate the innovative Google Glass project. The staff and faculty all had an opportunity to ask a lot of questions and try out the Google Glasses for themselves. They are currently looking for ways to integrate the Google Glass into the curriculum for patient care classes and medical education.

We are looking forward to more partnerships and collaborations with the University of Toledo interprofessional Immersive Simulation Center in the future.