RACS is proud to announce that the SimuSurg app was the Indie Category winner at the Serious Games Showcase & Challenge Australasia 2018, held by Simulation Australasia.
The app, which was one of only six finalists in the awards, was developed by Cmee4 Productions, simulates a minimally invasive surgical setting to train, and entertain prospective surgeons.
The app was showcased at the SimGHOSTs 2018 Conference in June, and allows users to challenge themselves through four levels of clinical scenarios with six activities including simple control movement exercises to more complex tasks associated with using various instruments.
Game producer Carolyn Mee said that SimuSurg provides an engaging, fun and interactive way to perform surgical skills in a gaming environment.
"We developed this unique app to simulate real life minimally invasive surgery. We're focused on improving health outcomes using games and this award supports our efforts. We look forward to representing Australia at the international event later in the year," she said.
RACS President Mr John Batten said that the SimuSurg app is the first e-surgical tool to be created for RACS, and that he is looking forward to seeing future developments in the way of virtual training across the industry.
"I can certainly see this app being further developed to include many kinds of surgical procedures, and potentially, tools such as these being used as a matter of course throughout our training," he said.
SimGHOSTs 2018, a health simulation conference held in the Sunshine Coast, attracted an audience of program directors, clinicians, educators, academics, technology/operations specialists, and game developers. The program highlighted the use of technology and virtual environments in simulation programs.
Winners were presented with trophies and received instant entry and $2,500 financial support from Simulation Australasia to attend and represent Australia at the global Serious Games Showcase & Challenge held as part of I/ITSEC in Orlando, Florida, November 26th-30th 2018.