Surgical training courses to be provided across France using world’s most advanced simulators.
Pilots have long been the gold-standard reference for medical educators, with mandatory simulation training, assessment and certification creating a positive culture that rewards learning and increases safety. In 2017, the French Parliament decided to follow suit1, introducing a mandate for all surgical residents to be provided with simulation training.
The STAN Institute was founded to provide technical and non-technical training to medical teams. 
Created by pilots, it transposes the simulation teaching capabilities from aviation to healthcare. The objective of the STAN Institute is to increase both performance and safety within operating rooms. This aim is perfectly aligned with the recommendation of the French National Authority for Health (Haute Autorité de Santé), which is, “Never the first time on a patient”2.
“Today, we are glad to see the evolution and the spread of the high-fidelity simulation in the medical field. It allows the surgeon and his team to train out of the OR. Thanks to VirtaMed simulators, residents acquire their own skills safely and the experts can outperform their talent.” said M. Jean-Pierre HENRY, CEO of STAN Institute. “Working with this tool is really relevant and comfortable for trainers and trainees. Educators are in the best conditions to coach surgeons in enhancing their performance”.
VirtaMed’s high fidelity simulators combine virtual reality graphics with adapted surgical instruments and anatomic models for realistic tactile feedback. This ground-breaking technology is designed to be installed in hospital training facilities, so that residents can train autonomously to suit their schedule.
This year, VirtaMed is responding to the Coronavirus crisis by delivering training opportunities in a mobile surgical simulation lab, capable of driving to hospitals and providing expert-led skills training. The Swiss-based company will launch this initiative in France from September.
“We are delighted to partner with the STAN Institute to deliver training to French residents, and Masterclasses with experienced surgeons,” said Dr. Magid Haddouchi, International Business Manager at VirtaMed. “It is a pleasure to find partners that are also determined to use their skills for the benefit of medical education.”
Together, VirtaMed and the STAN Institute will host a series of surgical skills workshops across France, expanding to more European destinations next year. Both companies have a commitment to work with medical societies and, where appropriate, to deliver European CME credits and DPC accredited courses.
About VirtaMed
VirtaMed is the world leader in medical training using mixed reality simulators for minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in orthopedics, urology, ob/gyn and general surgery. Combining virtual reality graphics with original instruments and anatomic models for realistic tactile feedback, VirtaMed partners with medical societies, such as the Collège Français des Chirurgiens Orthopédistes et Traumatologues (CFCOT), and medical device companies. For more information, visit www.virtamed.com.
About STAN Institute
Since its creation in 2015, STAN Institute trained more than 2000 worldwilde surgeons and nurses. The team is mainly composed by 3 experts in Human Factors and Organisational behavior.
Nowadays they train medical staff to enhance their skills to reach excellence through simulator systems. For more information, visit stan-institute.com.
2 État de l’art (national et international) en matière de pratiques de simulation dans le domaine de la santé Pr Granry, Dr Moll Haute Autorité de Santé Janvier 2012.