Imaging technology comes to Canadian medical classroom

Computed tomography images will be making a bigger-than-normal impact on some medical students at the University of British Columbia, according to Phys.org.

That’s because students will be able to learn about human anatomy, certain diseases, imaging and some medical procedures through a touch-screen that uses CT images to replicate reality.

Professors at the program said the device will allow students to come face-to-face with imaging technology and radiology practices right from their first year of medical education. And being able to manipulate the images on the screen will help them better understand the spatial relationships of the human body, another professor told the website.

The touch-screen table is manufactured by a Swedish company, weighs 500 pounds and is more than 5 feet long. It’ll be the first of its kind in Canada. There are 15 others in use throughout North America.

Check out Phys.org to see how faculty at the University of British Columbia plan to use this new teaching device in conjunction with more traditional methods and how the two types of learning will fit together.