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Una entrevista con la cirujana ortopédica, Dra. Ruth Delaney

Article Summary

mayo 9, 2023

PrecisionOS entrevistó a la Dra. Ruth Delaney, cirujana ortopédica en Dublín, sobre su carrera, sus pensamientos sobre la capacitación quirúrgica en realidad virtual, consejos para aspirantes a cirujanos y más. Te invitamos a leer la entrevista completa.

In This Article:

Dr. Ruth Delaney, Orthopedic Surgeon

PrecisionOS entrevistado Dra. Ruth Delaney, un cirujano ortopédico en Dublín y uno de nuestros junta asesora miembros, sobre su carrera, cambios en la formación ortopédica, realidad virtual en educación quirúrgica, lo que le gusta de PrecisionOS, consejos para aspirantes a cirujanos y más. Te invitamos a leer la entrevista completa a continuación. 

Comparte con nosotros tu recorrido en la cirugía ortopédica y el área que te apasiona.

“My name is Dr. Ruth Delaney. I’m a shoulder surgeon in Dublin, Ireland. I went to medical school in Ireland but did most of my training in the US. I trained at Harvard, which is where I met Dr. Danny Goel Hice mi residencia allí y luego fui becario de hombro en Boston y en Francia.  

“I went back to Ireland in 2014 and started my practice, which is a 100% shoulder practice. I suppose, within orthopedics, the shoulder attracted me because there are a lot of challenges still in the world of shoulder surgery, particularly around young patients with arthritis. For example, how we solve issues around massive rotator cuff tears, debates about shoulder instability. So, within this one subspecialized area, there are lots of different areas that you can apply yourself to. There’s also trauma. There are so many facets to shoulder surgery, and I think that was what attracted me [to it].” 

¿De qué manera ha observado cambios en la formación ortopédica desde su propia formación?

“I think there probably are some differences in entrenamiento quirúrgico hoy compared to when I was a resident. There’s a lot more technology available and that’s changed very fast, probably in the last five years or so. That brings great opportunities, and it brings some challenges as well.  

“In terms of the opportunities, we have more understanding now of how to plan. For example, in shoulder replacement, there’s a lot of technology and preoperative planning and intraoperative execution tools we can use. That means that you have a little bit more to deal with when you’re learning because you still need to learn the basics and not skip over the basics because the technology is there. 

“I think there are also other pressures that have increased. They were probably there when I was a trainee, but I think they’ve increased particularly since the pandemic, things like time constraints. So as a surgeon, I often feel that it’s hard to let a trainee do a lot of the operation if it’s going to take a lot longer because we’re under that bit more pressure to get more patients through. And I think that sort of side of things where there’s time pressure and probably high expectations from patients as well. So, it gets harder and harder to deliver the same training on a practical level.” 

¿Qué es lo que más te gusta de PrecisionOS?  

“One of the things I like the most about PrecisionOS is that it still remains patient focused. The whole idea is that we need to train the próxima generación de cirujanos. We need to do so in a way that makes sure that they’re good enough to take care of the next generation of patients, but without causing any harm to the current generation of patients. And that’s always been the struggle with surgical training. And suddenly this whole concept of using VR makes that much easier.  

“I think that’s my favorite thing about PrecisionOS, is probably that it’s still patient centered. It doesn’t get distracted by all of the exciting technology, which is really interesting to use, but I think the fact that there’s alignment between the mission of the company and the mission of the surgeons is really important.” 

En su opinión, ¿cuáles son las principales ventajas de la formación quirúrgica en RV? 

“The key advantages with entrenamiento quirúrgico… obviously eliminating risk to patients. It creates a really safe environment to simulate surgeries. I think that’s probably the biggest one.  

“Another advantage is the removal of geographic barriers. For example, I did a virtual surgery with Dr. Goel, Dr. Warner, and some surgeons in Switzerland recently where we were all in different countries but could collaborate together and to learn together using the headset. So, I think removing kind of the need to travel to get training is also another advantage of it. I think those are kind of the key things.” 

“I think it’s something that should be included in this day and age because it’s also going to kind of lead into some of the things that are in clinical practice in terms of augmented reality and all of that. But it also enhances the entrenamiento quirúrgico by saving on time. By the time a trainee is operating on a patient in a controlled manner, in a supervised manner, if they’ve already walked through it on VR, then they’re going to be much better when they first touch a patient. So, I think that makes it really important and it shouldn’t be that difficult to implement. So, I think that those are the key advantages.” 

Si estuviera sentado con un compañero residente del hombro para hablarle sobre esta tecnología por primera vez, ¿qué le diría? 

“So, I would explain that PrecisionOS is using a completely virtual environment to simulate what we’re doing in the operating room, and that this allows you to walk through the steps of the operation and actually even have some haptic feedback and really get quite a realistic experience of being in the or obviously with some limitations, but it is a much easier way to learn an operation than reading an operative technique.” 

¿Cuál es el aspecto más gratificante de ser un cirujano ortopédico?  

“The most rewarding aspect of being an orthopedic surgeon has to be the patients who tell you that what you’ve done for them changed their lives. We sometimes forget, you know, the impact that something has, and I think that’s got to be the best thing about it.” 

¿Qué consejo le daría a los aspirantes a cirujanos ortopédicos?  

“There are lots of, I suppose, pieces of advice you could give to a resident who’s looking to go into shoulder surgery.  

“I think one of the most important things is to seek out really good mentors, and don’t be shy about approaching mentors because everybody was a resident once and it really opens up a whole world of a subspecialty when you have the right people mentoring and sponsoring you.” 

Cuéntanos una historia sobre ti usando la plataforma PrecisionOS VR.

“I suppose my personal use of PrecisionOS got really practical when a new implant came out and I didn’t have the opportunity to go to a cadaver lab and practice it before I was putting it in a patient. But we had a module on PrecisionOS that I was able to actually walk through in VR and sort of teach myself that implant rather than the very first time I walked through it being actually in a real case. So, I think even practicing surgeons can benefit from using VR when there is a new implant or a new technique that they want to learn.” 

PrecisionOS is a leader in surgical training and provides a safe and effective way for trainees to learn and practice surgeries without risking patient safety. If you’re interested in learning more about how PrecisionOS can benefit your residency program, we invite you to reservar una demostración con nuestro equipo hoy.  

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Sobre PrecisionOS

PrecisionOS is a leader in virtual reality-enabled surgical education. Trusted by top academic medical centers, health systems, and professional societies worldwide, the company delivers an immersive, scalable training ecosystem designed by surgeons for residents and the next generation of healthcare professionals. By combining high-fidelity VR cadaver labs with on-the-go access via the Approaches mobile module and AI-driven performance reporting, PrecisionOS ensures surgeons are ready for the OR, today.

Preguntas frecuentes

Is there a step-by-step "Quick Start" guide for residents?

Yes—The Onboarding Course is your fastest path to proficiency. It walks you through account syncing, procedure selection, and your first virtual rehearsal step-by-step, ensuring you are “OR Ready” before you pick up the controllers.

Action: Follow the guided video path to standardize your learning experience.

Yes. PrecisionOS is compatible with Meta Quest 3, and 3s. If you already own a headset, you simply need to download the PrecisionOS Launcher from the App Store and sign in with your institution email and membership credentials.

Action: Download the launcher and log in.

Your Individual Membership is a month-to-month subscription ($99/mo) designed for residents who want 24/7 access to surgical rehearsal without a long-term contract.  Reach out for information about an institutional membership.

Action: Your card is billed every 30 days from the date of signup.

Hospital networks will often require a MAC address for device white-listing. You can find this in your Meta Quest headset settings under About > MAC Address.

Action: Reach out to provide your IT department with the MAC address found in your headset settings.

Both the headset firmware and the PrecisionOS app must be up to date to prevent technical glitches. Go to Settings > Software Update on your Quest and check the Launcher for app updates.

Action: Enable “Auto-updates” in your headset settings.

About The Author

Imagen de Danny P. Goel, MD

Danny P. Goel, médico

Is the CEO of PrecisionOS and is a practicing surgeon and surgical educator. Dr. Goel currently practices in the Vancouver, B.C. area and also serves on the University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Medicine in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery.

He received his medical degree from the University of Manitoba, pursued his residency training in orthopedic surgery at the University of Calgary, and completed fellowship training in shoulder surgery at the University of Western Ontario and Harvard University.

Goel has co-authored more than 30 publications, and is widely sought as a presenter on surgical techniques.

21 Months of Automated VR Data

MAJOR ACADEMIC ORTHOPAEDIC RESIDENCY PROGRAM

How self-directed VR practice fills the seams of the clinical day and produces measurable learning trajectories—completely automatically.

Executive Summary:

Over a 21-month period, 30 orthopaedic residents integrated immersive VR into their training curriculum. With a simple, weekly requirement for residents to practice in headset, the platform seamlessly captured over 88,000 structured data points across 2,566 practice sessions. The resulting data proved that when residents have access to high-fidelity, frictionless simulation and are motivated, they will hone their skills and demonstrate clear performance improvements.

Frictionless Adoption: Practice doesn't compete with clinical time. The data revealed that 45% of all sessions happened organically during lunch breaks or on weekends.

Comprehensive Coverage: Usage wasn't limited to a single subspecialty. Residents attempted 61 distinct cases across 27 procedure modules, proving active engagement from Foundations & Anatomy to Complex Trauma.

Measurable Improvement: The platform didn't just track usage; it tracked skill acquisition. Across 288 scored playthroughs, longitudinal data showed a clear performance signal, with residents demonstrating an average positive learning delta of +0.36 over time.

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Own Your Progress.

Download the PrecisionOS mobile app to access Delphi’s insight reports and turn every VR session into a springboard for future success.

Step #1

State Your Intent

Tell Delphi, your AI Attending Mentor, what you are looking to practice.

Step #2

Get Practice Recommendations

Based on your request, Delphi will suggest personalized VR apps and Video training.

Step #3

Queue Apps In VR

Tap Add to Queue and the VR app will be waiting for you in headset.

Step #4

Learn From Experts

Access the video library for expert-led Virtual Grand Rounds and discover surgical pearls from industry leaders and device experts.

Step #4

Practice With A Plan

Go through the recommended VR apps to gain the skills and repetition needed for success. 

Step #5

Review Performance Insights

After your VR session, review your personalized performance insight on your phone to maximine your OR success. 

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Dr. Andrew Maeso

Orthopedic resident

From Uncertainty to Execution

“You already have a plan, now you’re just executing it.”

The Story: Bridging the "Intern Gap"

Dr. Andrew Maeso recognizes the steep reality of residency: “As an intern, you are thrown into the fire.” For him, the hurdle wasn’t just the surgery—it was the invisible mechanics (positioning, X-ray angles, and workflow) that move too fast to learn in a high-pressure OR.

The Solution: Access Over Policy

By bringing the PrecisionOS ecosystem home, Dr. Maeso replaced passive YouTube watching with active mental rehearsal. This allowed him to arrive in the OR with the “steps” already hard-coded into his muscle memory.

The Game Changer: Personal headsets issued for at-home, 24/7 training.

Clinical Focus: Mastery of Antegrade Femoral Nails and Shoulder Arthroscopy.

Program Growth: Experience led to secured funding for all incoming residents.

Smiling man wearing glasses and checkered shirt in an office setting.

Roberto Oliveira

Founder

Over his 25 years in the gaming industry, Roberto Oliveira has been known for bringing stunning realism and high fidelity to interactive experiences.

He combines an art director’s artistic vision with solid business leadership, including experience in building art teams, creative team management, project planning, project management and business development.

Over the years, his talents have been showcased in projects for major publishers including Sony, Activision, Disney and Electronic Arts.

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Dr. Ryan Lohre

MGH Staff Surgeon

From Resident to MGH Staff Surgeon

“Prepare like it matters. Because in the OR—it does.”

The Story: The Currency of Trust

Dr. Ryan Lohre’s trajectory changed during a complex pediatric case that had already seen two failed attempts by tenured surgeons. While textbooks offered the theory, Dr. Lohre used VR to master the 3D spatial intelligence required to build a mental model of the deformity and navigate C-arm imagery in real-time.

The Solution: The 18-Minute Sandbox

The night before surgery, Dr. Lohre rehearsed the procedure four times in VR from his own home. This high-fidelity rehearsal allowed him to arrive in the OR functioning at 80-90% proficiency, compared to the typical 10-20% for a resident facing a new, complex procedure.

The Game Changer: 18 minutes of at-home VR prep for a complex pediatric case.

Clinical Focus: Spatial intelligence for C-arm interpretation and screw trajectory.

Program Growth: Transitioned from trainee to Staff Surgeon at Mass General.

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Dr. Barry McDonough

Program Director

Teaching with Surgical Efficiency

“I let the junior resident do more than ever before—and still finished on time.”

The Story: Reclaiming the OR

While at West Virginia University (WVU), Dr. Barry McDonough faced a universal challenge: balancing resident education with strict OR efficiency. By the time residents step into the OR, foundational skills like camera handling and triangulation should be second nature—not a distraction that slows down the case.

The Solution: Independent Preparation

Residents were assigned just 10 minutes of asynchronous VR training per week. This allowed them to master the “invisible” basics of arthroscopy on their own time. With an average of 17 sessions completed during the pilot, residents arrived with a mental roadmap that translated into immediate technical fluency.

The Game Changer: Asynchronous prep—residents train independently at home.

Clinical Focus: Mastery of triangulation, scope control, and anchor placement.

Program Growth: Model expanded across trauma, spine, and upper extremity.

Man in blue suit with glasses smiling in front of bookshelf.

Dr. Charlie Spieser

Orthopedic Resident

Mastering the Visuo-Spatial Gap

“VR practice shifts questioning from case generalizations to technique refinement.”

The Story: From Application to Confidence

Charlie Spieser highlights a universal resident hurdle: the high-stress transition from “book knowledge” to real-world execution. Early in training, the fear of making irreversible decisions can lead to hesitation. To bridge this gap, Charlie utilized VR as a daily resource for kinetic learning and anatomical association.

The Solution: Refining Spatial Intelligence

Unlike textbooks or passive videos, PrecisionOS allowed Charlie to practice high-stakes approaches—such as the anterior total hip—in a guided, 3D environment. This repetition provided a “safe sandbox” to identify why errors occurred, building the visuo-spatial confidence required to navigate complex anatomy before ever entering the OR.

The Game Changer: Daily Integration—normalized as an expected program resource.

Clinical Focus: Anterior Total Hip and Deltopectoral surgical approaches.

Program Growth: Nuanced Mentorship—shifting focus to specific faculty preferences.

Orthopaedic virtual reality training for junior residents in surgery.

Immersive Virtual Reality Training for a Junior Orthopaedic Surgery Resident

Andres D Maeso, DO, Michael R McDermott, DO, Jerrod A Steimle, DO

How consistent iVR training accelerates technical fluency and attending trust for first-year residents.

Executive Summary: This case study follows a first-year resident’s integration of immersive VR (iVR) into their surgical curriculum. By dedicating consistent training time to virtual modules, the resident was able to master procedural steps and receive real-time feedback in a risk-free environment before ever stepping into the operating room. The study highlights that this deliberate practice led to a “noticeable improvement in overall efficiency” and significantly increased the attending’s trust and confidence in the resident’s intraoperative capabilities.

Source Attribution: Immersive Virtual Reality Training for a Junior Orthopaedic Surgery Resident, Journal of Orthopaedic Experience & Innovation (2025).

Muscle Memory Development: The repetitive nature of immersive VR (iVR) training, combined with constant real-time feedback, allows technical surgical steps to become deep-seated muscle memory.

Measurable Efficiency Gains: Residents utilizing the platform observe a "noticeable improvement" in overall efficiency and technical proficiency when performing complex orthopedic procedures.

Accelerated Attending Trust: Preoperative rehearsal in a virtual environment significantly increases attending surgeon confidence, directly leading to increased autonomy for the resident in the operating room.

Professional man in business attire for PrecisionOS.

Danny P. Goel, médico

Director ejecutivo

A practicing surgeon and surgical educator, Dr. Goel currently practices in the Vancouver, B.C. area and also serves on the University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Medicine in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery.

He received his medical degree from the University of Manitoba, pursued his residency training in orthopedic surgery at the University of Calgary, and completed fellowship training in shoulder surgery at the University of Western Ontario and Harvard University.

Goel has co-authored more than 30 publications, and is widely sought as a presenter on surgical techniques.

Professional man smiling in a blue shirt for PrecisionOS About Us page.

Colin O'Connor

Founder

Colin O’Connor brings a proven track record as a business leader and entrepreneur, as well as expertise at developing cutting-edge technology to create immersive, high-fidelity experiences.

He has overseen and played key leadership roles in the highest echelons of the video game industry, founding companies and taking more than 16 top-tier titles to market.

He has worked at the forefront in innovating new rendering technologies in the areas of lighting, motion, particle graphics and shading that bring unprecedented realism to interactive experiences.

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Tell Delphi, your AI Attending Mentor, what you want to practice today.