Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The classic paradigm of "learning on the patient in the operating room" is more and more in conflict with the growing requirements of cost-efficient work and patient safety. With the technology available today for simulator systems, the accessibility of digital tools and the development of a metaverse as a digital meeting place result in various application scenarios and alternatives to classic orthopedic training. SIMULATORS: First VR-desktop simulations in orthopedics and traumatology were developed more than 20 years ago. VR-desktop simulators consist of a computer with a video screen and a joint model. Different instruments can be paired with this system and allow haptic feedback. With innovative software, numerous training programs can be selected, and the user receives precise feedback on their performance. Immersive VR simulators have also played an increasingly important role in recent years. OTHER DIGITAL TOOLS: The use of digital media such as audio and video podcasts as learning and information sources increased in the context of COVID-19. There is also an increasing number of orthopedic and trauma surgery topics on social media platforms. In all fields, however, there is a risk of the spread of misinformation. A quality standard must be maintained. EFFECTIVENESS AND UTILITY OF THE TRAINING: In order to evaluate simulators and their value as a training tool, it is important to comply with various validity criteria. Transfer validity plays an essential role for clinical application. Various studies demonstrate that the skills learned on simulators can also be successfully transferred to real clinical scenarios. DISCUSSION: A lack of availability, costs and high effort are limitations of classic training methods. In contrast, there are versatile use cases of VR-based simulations that are individually adapted to the trainees and cannot endanger patients. The still high acquisition costs, technical obstacles and the not yet widespread availability are limiting factors. The metaverse still offers unimaginable possibilities today to transfer VR-based applications to experimental learning methods.