The University of Western Australia's Clinical Training and Evaluation Centre (CTEC) marks its 25th anniversary tomorrow, celebrating a quarter-century of pioneering medical education and training.

Since its royal opening by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2000, CTEC has established itself among the world’s top medical simulation facilities, delivering around 600 educational sessions annually to healthcare professionals from Australia and internationally.

Director of CTEC since 2007 and Head of the Division of Surgery at UWA, UWA Medical School alumnus Professor Jeffrey Hamdorf said CTEC's impact on healthcare delivery in WA has been profound.

“Since 2000 CTEC has partnered with the Department of Health WA to train more than 54,000 Australasian health professionals in a comprehensive program of medical and surgical simulation workshops,” he said.

Image: Professor Jeffrey Harmdorf.

“Those who receive training at CTEC range from medical students learning to stitch wounds to surgical consultants receiving training in cutting edge surgical techniques from international experts – all to the benefit of the WA and national health systems.

“Our participants include surgical consultants and trainees, junior doctors, general practitioners, emergency physicians, anaesthetists and nurses and 77 percent of them are WA-based, meaning if you visit a hospital today, your treating healthcare professional has likely trained here.”

Professor Hamdorf said the Centre's success stems from its innovative approach to medical training, providing authentic hospital environments where healthcare professionals can safely learn and perfect their skills before treating patients. 

From emergency procedures to advanced surgical techniques, CTEC's programs span the full spectrum of medical education, with the training environment benefitting from UWA’s Body Donation Program.

“We’re acknowledged as a ‘hub’ of medical simulation knowledge and know-how in Australia and the region because of our practical pathway to medical and surgical skills training,” he said.

Image: Surgical training at CETC.

“Our holistic approach in the development of training programs means we are involved in every step of needs analysis and research, workshop design, delivery and evaluation which means our training programs are effective not only in educational terms, but in practical, ethical and financial measures.

“We're particularly proud of our role in supporting rural healthcare, with our ‘Cutting Edge’ program providing crucial surgical training for country GPs across all sorts of procedures such as advanced hand surgery and essential surgical skills, ensuring regional communities have access to skilled medical care.”

Looking ahead, Professor Hamdorf said CTEC continues to pioneer medical innovation through collaborations with industry partners, including the testing of robotic laser technology for orthopaedic procedures and advanced transplantation techniques.