Research Project Description:

The ViR-MEd project aims to revolutionize medical education by incorporating Virtual Reality (VR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies. This innovative approach seeks to enhance clinical communication training by creating immersive environments where medical students can practice real-life scenarios with virtual patients powered by AI, including ChatGPT. These simulations allow students to develop essential skills in a wide variety of scenarios, such as delivering difficult diagnoses, managing patient non-adherence, interacting with neurodivergent or disabled patients, etc. The project’s objective is to make high-quality medical training accessible and scalable, using low-cost VR goggles that can be paired with smartphones.

The ViR-MEd project is a groundbreaking initiative that brings together leading universities and technology companies to improve medical education through immersive technologies. By making VR-based training accessible via low-cost tools, it aims to democratize medical training across socio-economic backgrounds and prepare future healthcare professionals for the evolving challenges of modern patient care.

Principal Investigator(s) and Coordinating Institution(s):

  • Principal Investigator: Dr. Achilleas Pavlou, University of Nicosia
  • Coordinating Institution: University of Nicosia

Researchers at University of Nicosia Medical School:

  • Dr Achilleas Pavlou, Lecturer at the University of Nicosia Medical School
  • Prof Alexia Papageorgiou, Professor of Medical Education and Clinical Communication
  • Dr Panayiota Andreou, Associate Professor in Clinical Communication Skills
  • Dr Stelios Georgiades, Professor of Clinical Psychology

Other Participating Institution(s):

  • Cyprus (Vimodo Ltd)
  • Cyprus SILVERSKY3D VR TECHNOLOGIES LTD)
  • Ireland (National University of Ireland Galway)
  • Norway (Norwegian University of Science and Technology)
  • Netherlands (Stichting VU)

Research Project Acronym: ViR-MEd

UNIC Participating Institution: University of Nicosia (UNIC)

Funding Agency: Erasmus+

Funding Programme: KA220-HED – Cooperation partnerships in higher education

UNIC/UNRF Budget: €74,800

Total Research Project Budget: €400,000

Research Project Status: Approved

Start and End Dates: 01 September 2024 – 31 August 2027

Funding Programme and/or Research Project Logo: Erasmus+

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