A Context Aware Surgical Training Environment

We propose to design and implement a prototype context aware surgical training environment (CAST) as part of the University of Maryland Surgical Simulation Training Center (SIMCenter). This system will be used to explore the role that an intelligent pervasive computing environment can play to enhance the training of surgery students, residents and specialists. The research will build on prior work on context aware “smart spaces” done at UMBC, leverage our experience in working with RFID in the DARPA Trauma Pod program as well as in incorporating Web-based infrastructure and software applications in academic and professional development programs. The project will result in pilot system integrating one or two training resources available in the SimCenter into a context aware training environment that can recognize the presence of a trainee and or mentor and take appropriate action based known training goals and parameters. The project will also evaluate the methods for capturing and utilizing validated surgical training metrics in a pervasive computing environment. This project will advance the knowledge of context aware training environments in a highly technical medical field and provide a basis for incorporating more advanced technology assisted learning experiences in medicine.