To accelerate the speed and scale of progress in the global fight against cancer, the IAEA has developed virtual reality (VR) models of three cancer treatment procedures — leveraging this cutting-edge technology as an innovative training tool for medical professionals across the globe. First debuted in July 2023 during a national training course in Mozambique, the IAEA’s models have already catalysed the training of nearly 180 such professionals within Africa. For resource-challenged contexts around the world, these state-of-the-art learning tools can help address education and training needs; reduce global knowledge gaps; and, in turn, enable equitable, high-quality care for all.
VR has been gaining in popularity as a training tool since it allows for realistic simulations in highly technical fields, including healthcare. Within cancer care training — which often requires expensive facilities, specialized equipment and rigorous compliance with local laws and regulations during patient interactions — VR can serve as a cost-effective alternative. This is especially true for many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where the global gap in education and training continues to widen.
To help bridge this gap, the IAEA developed VR models of external beam radiotherapy, two-dimensional (2-D) brachytherapy and three-dimensional (3-D) brachytherapy — in part with extrabudgetary funding from the United States. In providing trainees with an immersive learning environment, these models enable oncologists, radiation therapists and medical physicists to develop an in-depth understanding of radiotherapy cancer set-ups — from equipment placement to patient positioning. This approach is especially advantageous when the necessary medical equipment is either unavailable in cancer centres or has not yet been commissioned for clinical use.