在美國(guó)密歇根大學(xué)醫(yī)學(xué)院，21世紀(jì)的教育技術(shù)已經(jīng)緊緊跟上了21世紀(jì)的醫(yī)學(xué)：受訓(xùn)醫(yī)生可以在高度模擬現(xiàn)實(shí)的模擬裝置上練習(xí)手術(shù)技能。

傳統(tǒng)的外科訓(xùn)練是通過(guò)一種學(xué)徒形式完成的：在數(shù)年時(shí)間里，訓(xùn)練有素的高年資外科醫(yī)生在手術(shù)室里指導(dǎo)住院醫(yī)生。而臨床模擬中心（The Clinical Simulation Center）則能夠模擬進(jìn)行真實(shí)外科手術(shù)時(shí)的情景，甚至能夠模擬手術(shù)操作時(shí)候的那種感覺(jué)，從而允許受訓(xùn)的外科醫(yī)生在接觸手術(shù)室之前就能夠?qū)W習(xí)練習(xí)手術(shù)技能。

例如，住院醫(yī)生在接受結(jié)腸鏡檢查的培訓(xùn)時(shí)，在屏幕上就可以看到結(jié)腸鏡的實(shí)時(shí)移動(dòng)以及空氣注入的情景。他們能夠?qū)W習(xí)腸粘膜活檢、燒灼、甚至腸息肉套扎術(shù)。如果他們操作用力過(guò)大或者患者麻醉深度不夠，模擬的患者會(huì)提醒操作者（通過(guò)話(huà)筒）控制麻醉深度（比如：哎唷！痛呀！嗨！）

U-M手術(shù)科教育副主席Paul Gauger說(shuō)：“我們努力提高對(duì)患者檢查和手術(shù)的安全性以及對(duì)患者的護(hù)理質(zhì)量。同時(shí)，我們也關(guān)注醫(yī)生的教育過(guò)程以及資格保證。而我們臨床模擬中心的高科技手段能夠幫助我們達(dá)到這些目標(biāo)。”

Gauger說(shuō)，臨床模擬中心致力于為受訓(xùn)醫(yī)生提供各種各樣臨床上的困難環(huán)境，而且根據(jù)需要提供學(xué)習(xí)機(jī)會(huì)。這些高科技手段會(huì)幫助醫(yī)學(xué)院培訓(xùn)出更好的醫(yī)生嗎？這些高科技手段有助于改善患者的疾病轉(zhuǎn)歸嗎？為了回答這些疑問(wèn)，臨床模擬中心正在評(píng)估中心的教育和學(xué)習(xí)水平；同時(shí)也為了幫助其他中心確定如何更好地利用模擬技術(shù)。

Extremely Realistic: Learning with Virtual Surgery Simulators

At the University of Michigan Medical School, 21st century educational technology has caught up with 21st century medicine: Doctors-in-training can practice their skills on extremely realistic simulators.
Traditional surgical training is done through a type of immersive apprenticeship, with experienced surgeons teaching residents in the operating room over a period of years. The Clinical Simulation Center mimics the look - and even the feel - of performing an actual surgical procedure, allowing surgical trainees to practice techniques before they ever reach the operating room.
For instance, a resident training on the colonoscopy simulator looks at a screen with real time response to scope movements and air insufflation. They have the ability to perform mucosal biopsies, cautery and even snaring polyps. And if they push too hard or use too little sedation, the simulated patient reminds them (through the speakers) to manage the anaesthesia appropriately (I.e., "ouch", "ow", or "hey").
"We're working to enhance patient safety and the quality of patient care. At the same time, we're dedicated to the process of education and the assurance of competency, so the advanced technologies in our Clinical Simulation Center help us to meet all these goals,” says Paul Gauger, associate chair for education, U-M Department of Surgery.
He notes that the Clinical Simulation Center works to prepare doctors-in-training for a wide variety of difficult situations. The Clinical Simulation Center provides learning opportunities on demand, Gauger says. Will this technology help medical schools to train better doctors? And, will the technology help improve patient outcomes? The Clinical Simulation Center is evaluating the level of learning that takes place at the Center in order to answer these questions and help other centres determine how best to use simulation technologies.