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19th Nov 2013

Picture: Meet Patrick, the robotic arse used to train med students

Dr. Benjamin Lok has invented the new robo-butt, which helps med students practice for rectal exams

JOE

Dr. Benjamin Lok has invented the new robo-butt, which helps med students practice for rectal exams

If there’s one thing that JOE has always said, it’s that there hasn’t been enough advancement in the field of medical technology when it comes to prostate exam simulators, and it seems that someone has finally listened to us.

Dr. Benjamin Lok recently invented this device, which helps med students get to grips with the process of giving a prostate exam, and what to look for.

Comedian Rob Delaney retweeted the picture a few weeks back, but it seems that a this device is a serious piece of kit and no laughing matter.

Dr. Lok told the website Geekosystem that “the student talks to a virtual person and is able to practice their communication skills” while also working on the mannequin, which is equipped with force sensors to make sure they’re not being too rough. The process even measure eye contact to help the young doctor improve their bedside manner during the exam.

You laugh now, but you’ll be thanking your lucky stars when you need a prostate exam that the doctor worked through all their mistakes on a simulator and not you. We tip our cap to you Dr. Lok, some fine work there.

Hat-tip to Geekosystem and Guyism for this

LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ podcast – listen to the latest episode now!

Topics:

simulator