VR shock room – a milestone in medical studies
With i:medtasim®, the Faculty of Medicine at Ulm University is receiving a virtual 3D copy of the real shock room at the TTU training hospital. The VR shock room is a state-of-the-art digital training environment for the treatment of time-critical emergency images. Medical students in higher semesters complete treatment procedures, train teamwork and clinical decision-making in virtual reality (VR). Developed by TriCAT in close cooperation with the Faculty of Medicine, the immersive simulation environment enables holistic emergency training – independent of location, realistic and safe.
Innovation hub Baden-Württemberg
The project is exemplary for Baden-Württemberg as a location for innovation: the combination of technological excellence, scientific expertise and regional cooperation creates a model that has an impact far beyond the state’s borders. A pioneering example of Baden-Württemberg’s innovative strength in research, teaching and technology development.
Digital 3D copy of the shock room with i:medtasim®
The scenario begins with the virtual handover by the ambulance service or emergency doctor and leads seamlessly to complete care in the virtual shock room. The teams train structured care together according to current guidelines – including communication, diagnostics, prioritization and treatment decisions.
Creating realistic decision-making pressure
The VR-based environment provides an immersive, emotionally activating experience that realistically depicts critical decision-making under time pressure – resource-saving and without risk to patients.
More patient safety through simulation-based learning
The ability to reliably and correctly diagnose and treat medical conditions is acquired through regular practice. Regular, simulation-based training significantly increases patient safety, as human errors can be identified at an early stage and procedures can be systematically optimized.
Learning by repetition and evaluation
The performance on the virtual patient is automatically evaluated and discussed in a personal debriefing.
“The close collaboration between the Faculty of Medicine at Ulm University and TriCAT promotes the rapid transfer of technological innovation into medical teaching. The latest findings from research and practice on VR-based training are transferred directly into usable learning formats – interdisciplinary, highly immersive and relevant to practice. Ulm University is thus taking on a pioneering role in the field of digital university teaching and simulation-based medical didactics.”
Markus Herkersdorf, CEO TriCAT GmbH
TARGET GROUP
Students of human medicine and doctors undergoing induction and further training
PROJECT OBJECTIVES AND CHALLENGES
- True-to-original 3D copy of the real shock room at the TTU training hospital.
- Increased patient safety by reducing human error and systematic optimization.
- Realistic VR training of treatment procedures in the care of critical emergency images.
- Training in teamwork and clinical decision-making, including communication, diagnostics and prioritization.
- Intervention possible at any time on the virtual patient with adjustment of all values.
- Evaluation and debriefing of training sessions.
- Multiuser VR and flexible desktop version with real-time communication and collaboration.
- High level of detail for intensive and realistic training.
- Realization with i:medtasim®, the TriCAT software for simulation training for medical professionals.
DIDACTIC APPROACHES AND METHODS
- Curricular integration
- Learning and collaboration in a virtual-immersive 3D environment
- Holistic and situational learning
- Simulation
- Blended learning
The symbolic handover took place on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at the TTU Faculty of Medicine at Ulm University.
“ […] of course we know that particularly extreme situations rarely occur, so we want to rehearse this virtually so that the patient benefits from it in the best possible way in an emergency. […] It is conceivable that not only students from the University of Ulm, but also from other universities such as Heidelberg and Tübingen could practice in the Ulm trauma room. They would not even have to travel to Ulm to do so. Doctors could also practice rare emergencies in this virtual setting.”
Prof. Dr. Tobias Böckers, Dean of Medicine, University of Ulm
Veranstalter:
- Universität Ulm, Präsident, Prof. Dr. Michael Weber
- Universität Ulm, Dekan Medizinische Fakultät, Prof. Dr. Thomas Wirth
- Universität Ulm, Studiendekan Medizin, Prof. Dr. Tobias Böckers
- Leitung Geschäftsbereich Studium und Lehre, Dr. Claudia Grab-Kroll
TriCAT GmbH:
- Markus Herkersdorf, CEO TriCAT GmbH
- Dominik Wichmann, Projektmanager Medizin / Healthcare TriCAT GmbH
Amtsträger und Repräsentanten:
- Manfred Lucha, MdL, Minister für Soziales, Gesundheit und Integration (Videobotschaft)