Lorraine Williamson
Healthcare training in Spain is getting a digital upgrade. Thanks to a Málaga-based start-up, the days of lifeless CPR manikins and dry textbook scenarios may soon be behind us.
MetaMedicsVR has launched a virtual reality platform that plunges students into emotionally charged, high-stakes medical situations – all from the safety of a classroom.
Using immersive VR headsets, traditional dummies become responsive virtual patients. These avatars react in real-time – crying out, panicking, or slipping away – depending on the user’s actions. Mistakes trigger consequences, just as they would in a real emergency. The goal is not only to teach life-saving techniques but to train students to stay composed under pressure and care with empathy.
More than just CPR: Crisis training across the board
MetaMedicsVR goes well beyond resuscitation. The platform simulates a range of medical situations, including trauma cases, infectious disease control, mental health episodes, and paediatric care. Each scenario is designed to challenge both the technical ability and emotional readiness of future health professionals.
Students quickly learn that medical knowledge isn’t enough – knowing how to communicate, stay calm, and work as a team is just as vital.
Real hands, real-time response
What sets MetaMedicsVR apart is its hand-tracking technology. Unlike other VR tools that rely on external controllers, students use their own hands to interact with the virtual world. It’s intuitive, collaborative, and lifelike. Each action triggers immediate feedback, and there’s no limit to how many times they can practise.
This real-time engagement helps learners develop confidence and skill, bridging the gap between theory and practice.
Backed by educators, embraced by students
More than 50 institutions – including high schools, universities, and hospitals – are already integrating MetaMedicsVR into their training. At IES Santa Bárbara in Málaga, both staff and students were visibly moved by the experience. “Studying a femur in VR is nothing like reading about it in a book,” one teacher noted. Others praised its ability to create powerful emotional responses and boost engagement.
From graduation project to global platform
MetaMedicsVR began in 2021 as a final-year project by student David Martín. Co-founded with Beatriz Zambrano, it has since grown into a global enterprise with a footprint in Ireland, Taiwan, and China. Its rise coincides with the post-COVID shift toward more immersive, tech-based learning – a trend it’s now helping to lead.
Supported by Fundación Unicaja and El País
The start-up’s mission has been recognised by Fundalogy, the innovation platform of Fundación Unicaja, which supports entrepreneurial solutions to social challenges. In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Fundación Unicaja announced:
“The start-up #MetaMedicsVR stars in a new instalment of the #NosUnenLasPersonas project, which we develop alongside @el_pais to highlight the stories behind the start-ups we support through #Fundalogy.”
This endorsement reinforces MetaMedicsVR’s role not only as a technological pioneer but also as a socially impactful force in Spain’s education and healthcare landscape.
Closing the experience gap in healthcare
A recurring challenge in medical education is a lack of real-world experience before entering the workforce. With Fundalogy’s backing and growing international demand, MetaMedicsVR is helping to close that gap. By replicating the pressure and unpredictability of clinical environments, the platform ensures students don’t just learn how to act – they learn when, why, and what’s at stake.
Tech with a human heart
MetaMedicsVR is more than just a tech tool; it’s a bridge between academic learning and real-life care. As Spanish healthcare education embraces innovation, this start-up is proving that virtual reality can bring us closer to something very human: empathy in action.
Source: ELPAÍS