Physician Learning Center
Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento
Sutter Orthopaedic Institute partnered with DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc. and implemented a Physician Learning Center at Gateway Oaks. The Learning Center features a classroom equipped with video conference and telemedicine technologies where physicians can view surgical procedures, presentations and other clinical information, using video, audio and data services.
Current faculty for the Physician Learning Center includes orthopaedic surgeons Thomas Blumenfeld, M.D., and William Bargar, M.D. Dr. Blumenfeld and Dr. Bargar provided instruction for the first surgical procedure classes earlier this month to physicians from the greater Sacramento and Central Valley areas. As the two surgeons performed joint replacement surgery in Sutter General Hospital’s operating rooms, a group of physicians in the Learning Center viewed the surgeries in "real-time" and listened to both surgeons as they performed their surgical procedures.
In addition to the Physician Learning Center, physicians also can access five clinical training rooms at Gateway Oaks that are equipped with video and audio technologies. These five rooms are set up like real hospital surgery rooms outfitted with surgical tools and dummy arms, legs, etc. An instructor stays in one room with a camera focused as he or she "teaches" the class by performing mock orthopaedic or other surgical procedures. Physicians watch the instructor on the screen and based on his or her directives, perform their own mock procedures.
The Physician Learning Center will hold between four and five two-day physician training seminars per year to provide a variety of classes that will include joint replacement surgery, trauma surgery and hands-on workshops. As the program grows, teaching staff will include faculty from across the country.
Future plans for the Learning Center include linking the video conference and telemedicine technologies to other Sutter Health affiliates and external partners.