MITIE CT - Innovative education in action

Aim: The Medical Imaging Training Immersive Environment (MITIE) system is a recently developed virtual reality (VR) environment for medical imaging that was developed at QUT in 2013. The software platform has recently been expanded to include a virtual reality computed tomography (CT) scanning module. The aim of this project was to evaluate the use of this MITIE software environment in the student learning experience of CT imaging. This project was possible due to funding made available by Health Workforce Australia (HWA). Method: MITIE CT is provided as part of the pedagogical approach for all undergraduate medical imaging (MI) students in their computed tomography imaging unit. As with the other VR MITIE modules, the software presents a realistic imaging environment. The MITIE CT module allows students to position and plan an acquisition for a range of standard CT protocols. The software is utilised in conjunction with a picture archival and communication system (PACS) environment to simulate the processes for CT image acquisition and processing. Results: This presentation provides a demonstration of the MITIE CT module and the initial feedback from students in its use and contribution to the understanding of the processes for CT imaging. Conclusion: MITIE CT has a role to play in the pre-clinical development of imaging process in CT imaging. Further research is underway to investigate student confidence and clinical skill levels when using MITIE CT as a learning tool. This project was possible due to funding made available by Health Workforce Australia.