CXOToday has engaged in an exclusive interview with JENO MANICKAM DURAIRAJ, Co-Founder/CTO, MediSim VR
1- Can you give us a brief about MediSim VR?
MediSim VR (MSVR), a med-tech company founded in 2018, works towards revolutionizing the medical training industry in India. Founded and spearheaded by three individuals of diverse backgrounds, CEO Sabarish Chandrasekaran, COO Adith Chinnaswami, and CTO Jeno Manickam Durairaj, MSVR has grown to be a part of IIT-Madras Research Park, Chennai, and Johnson & Johnson Innovation Labs, Boston. The global healthcare industry has consistently embraced technology in its commitment to providing best-in-class patient care. MediSim VR is a leading player in VR medical simulation training in India today. Medisim VR’s patented technology offers a variety of training procedures to over 3500 medical & nursing students in a fully virtual & safe environment. MediSim VR combines the benefits of Virtual Reality (VR) and simulation to deliver immersive learning experiences for medical skill training. Medisim VR’s built-in AI-based competency assessment tool provides comprehensive performance metrics to students and the institution. Today, with a Harvard Simulation expert on the Board, we rapidly grow in the SE Asian & US markets.
MediSim VR pioneers setting up VR labs in medical institutions, helping best utilize virtual reality’s advantages and translating it into effective medical training for learners. Meeting global technology standards through collaborations with organizations such as the Center for Education, Simulation, and Innovation (CESI) at Hartford HealthCare, MSVR’s expertise was showcased with the recent tie-up with the Manipal University College Malaysia, providing advanced medical training to Malaysian MBBS students. With this adoption of VR into their program, Manipal University’s MBBS curriculum blends traditional and contemporary teaching and learning modalities. MediSim VR’s simulated training paved the way for graduates to be assessed easily and helped trainers evaluate learning, ensuring better education for medical students and tomorrow’s doctors. This technology-driven medical training allows students to learn and practice patient-care skills infinite times in a risk-free and immersive environment.
2- How is Medisim VR training India’s future doctors through virtual reality?
Using the innovation of Virtual Reality (VR), MediSim VR is reforming medical education in India. We collaborate with various medical institutions nationwide, enabling medical students to receive faster, easier procedural knowledge using VR. Medisim VR’s immersive VR training platform offers various VR modules and experiences to enhance procedural skill learning and provide hands-on practice in a realistic environment.
Using VR, we create a virtual world where medical students can engage in interactive training sessions, perform medical procedures, and develop patient-oriented clinical skills. This technology helps students gain practical experience, make critical decisions, and hone their abilities in a risk-free setting.
Through MediSim VR’s platform, students can access a library of institute-approved modules that align with their curriculum. They can navigate virtual patient scenarios, diagnose conditions, and practice various medical tasks. The platform also provides personalized feedback, performance evaluations, and analysis reports to track students’ progress and identify areas for improvement.
By leveraging the power of VR, MediSim VR offers an innovative and immersive learning experience that complements traditional teaching methods. This approach equips future doctors with practical skills, enhances their clinical competence, and prepares them for real-world medical challenges.
MediSim VR’s dedication to leveraging technology and providing a transformative training experience positions them as a leader in shaping the future of medical education in India, ensuring that the country’s future healthcare professionals have the necessary skills and knowledge to provide high-quality healthcare. An extensive content library consisting of procedural skills such as emergency management, urethral catheterization, and wound management, amongst many others, helps us accomplish this.
3 – How is MediSim placed within the VR ecosystem, and how has VR evolved in the last few years?
The AR-VR sector within India’s healthcare market reached $1,425.73 million in 2022 and is expected to register a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.22% during 2023-2028, showing past substantial development and significant predicted growth.
MediSim VR has become a leading player in the VR ecosystem, particularly in medical training. By leveraging VR as a technology, we have created a comprehensive platform that addresses healthcare professionals’ specific needs starting their medical journey. With a focus on upskilling, practicing procedural tasks, and enhancing patient experiences, MediSim VR is a technology partner to institutions, helping them set up VR laboratories on campus and provide cutting-edge skill training.
Over the last few years, VR has evolved significantly. Advancements in hardware, including more powerful and affordable headsets, have improved the immersive experience. The early hesitancies around comfort and motion sickness have decreased drastically as well. Developing sophisticated software and applications has helped VR break into unexpected industries, going beyond what was thought possible. This wave of VR adoption and advancements in related technologies like AR and MR continue to shape the future of immersive experiences and applications.
4- What are the new developments and future plans?
By harnessing the power of the cloud, we believe we can better deploy Medisim VR’s technology to handle many labs and kiosks, bolstering our confidence in reaching 20 institutions by 2023 end. This would leave us with 10,000 to 12,000 students in India working on MediSim VR’s system. Under this framework, we are also experimenting with cloud rendering technology to adapt to 5G and 6G advancements. We also strive to improve Medisim VR’s kiosk experience, designing and engineering new ways of enhancing self-usage. Finally, we are also looking to integrate Natural Language Processing (NLP) based Artificial Intelligence (AI) into MediSim VR’s systems to generate seamless virtual patient conversation and interaction. We look forward to executing Medisim VR’s visions to the best of Medisim VR’s capabilities.
5 – What are the principles behind the technology involved in Virtual Reality?
Technology plays a vital role in developing and functioning virtual reality (VR) systems. The key technological components of VR systems include the head-mounted display (HMD), motion tracking, graphics processing, audio systems, input devices, and software/content.
The HMD is the primary hardware component, providing visual immersion through high-resolution displays and lenses. Motion tracking technologies, such as sensors or cameras, track the user’s movements and enable real-time interaction within the virtual environment. Graphics processing units (GPUs) deliver the computational power required to render realistic graphics and ensure smooth performance.
Audio systems enhance the immersive experience by providing spatial audio, simulating sounds from different directions. Input devices like controllers and gloves enable users to interact with the virtual environment, incorporating motion sensors and haptic feedback for a more engaging experience. Software and content development platforms allow virtual environments, simulations, and interactive scenarios to be created.
Advancements in these technologies have led to improved visual quality, more precise tracking, realistic audio, and enhanced interactivity in VR systems. Continued developments and innovations in these areas contribute to VR technology’s evolution and future possibilities.
