This paper aims to assess the needs of neurosurgical training in order to strategize the future plans for simulation and rehearsal. The main objective is to investigate the ability of virtual reality to enhance the training. An online questionnaire has been conducted among surgeons practicing in different countries across the globe. The study shows significant differences in rehearsal methods and surgical teaching methods practiced by the respondents. Among respondents, 90% did believe that virtual reality technology can serve surgical training, and almost all respondents agreed that there is a gap in the existing neurosurgical training in terms of operating room ergonomics. Adequate education on surgical ergonomics might lead to an improvement in the outcomes for both surgeon and patient. The contribution of the paper is twofold. One side investigates the new requirements for the enhancement of neurosurgeon training and adoption on a virtual reality simulator. The other side contributes to the body of knowledge related to the required ergonomics skills.

Summary form only given. Virtual reality has gone from research to educational tool to indispensible clinical application in patient care. A brief review of the current status of the use of VR in medicine will provide the springboard for the current gaps that provide future opportunities in simulation as well as an introduction to new advanced technologies that are revolutionizing medicine and which will require VR for educational and training support and clinical applications. Some topics for discussion are virtual patients, cadavers and autopsies, surgical rehearsal, robotic surgery, suspended animation, regeneration and tissue engineering. The challenge: how creatively can VR support these incredible new technologies? The grand challengeñ how will 3-D stereolithography revolutionize the practice of medicine? Have you bought your Maker bot yet?

Virtual reality has gone from research to educational tool to indispensible clinical application in patient care. A brief review of the current status of the use of VR in medicine will provide the springboard for the current gaps that provide future opportunities in simulation as well as an introduction to new advanced technologies that are revolutionizing medicine and which will require VR for educational and training support and clinical applications. Some topics for discussion are virtual patients, cadavers and autopsies, surgical rehearsal, robotic surgery, suspended animation, regeneration and tissue engineering. The challenge: how creatively can VR support these incredible new technologies? The grand challenge ñ how will 3-D stereolithography revolutionize the practice of medicine? Have you bought your Makerbot yet?