'Mainebiz' reports on UNE College of Osteopathic Medicine's virtual reality program

We are Alfred

As featured in Mainebiz, the groundbreaking virtual reality program used by the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine has helped to spur a new virtual reality simulation.

Due out this spring, the simulation will eventually be used as a teaching tool for medical students and health care professionals. It is being developed by the California firm that created the “We are Alfred” tool, utilized by the College of Osteopathic Medicine.

To develop the new simulation, the firm used observations from Hospice of Southern Maine Gosnell Memorial Hospice House at the recommendation of the College of Osteopathic Medicine. The firm sent a team to the Scarborough facility, observing conversations between patients, their families and hospice staff, and learning about the physical, emotional and spiritual support given to patients.

UNE has a 48-hour immersion program for students at the Hospice of Southern Maine Gosnell Memorial Hospice House that gives students the opportunity to live and work at the in-patient facility alongside staff and volunteers who provide patient care, family support and post-mortem care.

"I don't know of another project in the world like it," Marilyn R. Gugliucci, professor and director for Geriatrics Education and Research, told Mainebiz.

Read the article in Mainebiz.

To learn more about the University of New England’s College of Osteopathic Medicine, visit www.une.edu/com

To apply, visit www.une.edu/admissions