Game Technology in Medical Education

My dissertation at the University of Maryland focused on the impact of new innovations on established business practices, specifically the use of 3D computer graphics, interactive computers, networking, and intelligent software in medical education. I began with the introduction of simulation devices in teaching anesthesiology in the late 1960's with SimOne. That technology had been transferred directly from military training.

This book explores the research that has already been done in evaluating the effectiveness of simulation and gaming technologies in medical education. It is especially interested in the benefits that are derived from these technologies.

1. Lower Cost of Delivering Education
   
2. Better Access to Learning Events
   
3. Reduced Time to Achieve Proficiency
   
4. Reduced Errors in Later Practice
   

After analyzing over 250 papers in the medical literature I demonstrated that evidence already exists that all four of these are true under specific conditions. Therefore, the medical education field is currently in a position to adopt these technologies and reap the benefits that come from them.

MEMS for Weapon Orientation

We have studied the current state of MEMS devices that can serve as orientation and movement sensors. These devices are currently light, consume little energy, and cost little to produce. However, their accuracy is much worse than the larger, more traditional devices. This is the profile of a disruptive technology. The new devices have inferior performance in the area that is most important to current customers, so they do not adopt the devices. However, they provide a capability at such a low power, weight, and cost that an entirely new market will open up for the devices. The revenues from this new market, as well as global R&D, will improve the technology so that eventually it will provide better performance than the established systems and drive those out of business.

More Info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disruptive_technology