In this episode of Between 2 Simulators, Maxim Gorshkov, Director at Euro-Med Sim, shares his insights on promoting surgical simulation, the growing role of VR and AR, and the challenges facing simulation adoption. Maxim highlights the need for stronger partnerships with surgical societies, discusses the cost-efficiency of virtual patients, and predicts that integrated simulation training will soon become standard with complex medical devices. He also introduces his Medical Museum, preserving historical medical artifacts for educational purposes. Maxim’s vision blends innovation with tradition, ensuring simulation remains a vital part of healthcare education.
In this insightful episode of Between 2 Simulators, Maxim Gorshkov, a prominent figure in healthcare simulation and Director at Euro-Med Sim, shared his journey, insights into surgical training, and vision for the future of simulation in medical education. Speaking with host Jake Rahman at IMSH 2025, Maxim explored key topics such as the integration of laparoscopic simulation, the evolving role of VR and AR, and the challenges facing surgical educators today.
Maxim’s extensive background — from his early days as a doctor to his leadership role at Euro-Med Sim — reflects his dedication to improving surgical training through innovative approaches.
The Challenge of Promoting Surgical Simulation
Despite the proven value of simulation in surgical education, Maxim highlighted a persistent challenge: low adoption rates among surgical professionals.
“Surgeons are incredibly busy people,” Maxim explained. “Conferences like IMSH often don’t attract enough surgical educators because their priorities lie elsewhere — they’re focused on clinical work and research.”
He illustrated this by recalling the German Congress of Surgery, where only a small group attended the surgical training session.
“Out of 3,000 attendees, only 50 were interested in the surgical training workshop,” Maxim shared. “And half of those were speakers or their colleagues.”
This gap, Maxim believes, underscores the need for stronger collaboration between simulation organizations and surgical societies to promote the value of simulation in surgical education.
A Call for Stronger Partnerships in Surgical Simulation
To bridge this gap, Maxim advocates for building strategic partnerships with influential surgical bodies like the American College of Surgeons and the Royal College of Surgeons in the UK.
“Surgeons need a compelling reason to attend simulation conferences,” Maxim emphasized. “By collaborating directly with surgical societies, we can integrate simulation into mainstream surgical education and attract greater participation.”
He believes that introducing dedicated surgical tracks at major simulation events — supported by respected surgical organizations — could inspire more educators to explore the benefits of simulation.
Laparoscopic Surgery: A Prime Example of Simulation Success
During the interview, Maxim highlighted laparoscopic surgery as one of the earliest examples of successful simulation-based education.
“Laparoscopic surgery introduced new motor skills that weren’t intuitive to surgeons trained in traditional methods,” Maxim explained. “Simulation became essential to mastering those skills.”
Early laparoscopic simulation programs — some humorously nicknamed Top Gun, inspired by the iconic film — demonstrated that structured practice could significantly accelerate skill development. Yet despite this success, Maxim noted that laparoscopic simulation has yet to become fully integrated into surgical training programs worldwide.
“Surgeons are still heavily reliant on the apprenticeship model — learning in the operating room under supervision,” Maxim said. “While this method has value, simulation can accelerate skill-building in safer, controlled environments.”
Bringing VR and AR into Surgical Training
Maxim sees VR (Virtual Reality) and AR (Augmented Reality) as valuable tools in medical education — particularly for students who lack access to real patients or live surgical environments.
He recounted a recent conversation with nursing educators who expressed reluctance to adopt virtual patients in their curriculum. Their hesitation, he explained, stemmed from a lack of understanding about how VR could supplement — rather than replace — traditional learning.
“I told them to imagine their car’s navigation system,” Maxim said. “You no longer rely solely on paper maps — you use digital tools for efficiency. The same should apply to medical education.”
By combining digital learning with hands-on simulation, Maxim believes educators can create richer learning experiences that blend theoretical knowledge with practical skill development.
Cost Considerations and Misconceptions
One of the most common objections Maxim encounters is the perceived cost of simulation technology. In response, he encourages educators to adopt a cost-benefit mindset when evaluating virtual solutions.
“A standardized patient may cost $20 an hour,” Maxim explained. “If you have 1,000 students, that’s $20,000 for just one hour of practice. In comparison, a well-designed VR platform can provide scalable, repeatable training at a fraction of that cost.”
He emphasized that while standardized patients are invaluable in certain scenarios, virtual tools can effectively support early skill development before students progress to live practice.
The Future of Medical Device Training
Maxim predicts a growing trend where medical device manufacturers will increasingly pair their products with integrated simulation training.
“Complex devices like ventilators, ultrasound machines, and robotic surgical systems are becoming more sophisticated,” Maxim noted. “Soon, every device will include a built-in simulation platform for onboarding and training.”
He believes this shift will mirror trends seen in consumer technology, where users can access video tutorials, interactive guides, and simulation-based training modules directly from their devices.
Empowering Educators Through Euro-Med Sim
As Director at Euro-Med Sim, Maxim leads an organization dedicated to advancing simulation education in Europe. Euro-Med Sim focuses on three core pillars:
- Research: Conducting studies to improve simulation techniques.
- Advocacy: Promoting simulation’s role in healthcare education.
- Education: Offering specialized training for simulation educators.
Euro-Med Sim’s hybrid training programs, combining online lectures with hands-on workshops, provide flexible learning opportunities for educators across Europe.
Maxim’s Medical Museum: Preserving History for Future Generations
In addition to his work in simulation, Maxim is also the curator of a fascinating Medical Museum — an online collection showcasing surgical instruments, historical books, and medical artifacts.
“We have surgical tools dating back 300 years,” Maxim shared. “Our goal is to preserve the legacy of medical advancements for future generations.”
Visitors can explore rare first-edition texts from pioneers like Ambroise Paré, Alessandro Brambilla, and Ivan Pavlov via the museum’s website.
Conclusion: Blending Tradition with Innovation
Maxim Gorshkov’s career is a testament to his dedication to advancing healthcare education. Whether advocating for better collaboration with surgical societies, promoting VR adoption, or ensuring future generations understand medical history, Maxim remains committed to enhancing learning through innovation.
“Simulation isn’t just about technology,” Maxim concluded. “It’s about creating meaningful learning experiences that empower healthcare professionals to deliver better patient care.”
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