Immersive virtual reality training: Addressing challenges and unlocking potentials

Medical Education, vol. 59, pp. 1222–1234

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Simulation-based training has significantly improved healthcare professionals' skills and patient outcomes. Immersive virtual reality is gaining attention in this field and offers potential educational benefits. However, little is known about how key stakeholders in simulation-based training and debriefing receive a complex intervention like immersive virtual reality. This study explores the enablers, barriers and applied debriefing strategies involved in using immersive virtual reality in simulation-based training. METHODS: We purposefully sampled simulation centre directors, course leaders and researchers within debriefing, simulation-based emergency training and immersive virtual reality. First, they observed and debriefed an online immersive virtual reality-based emergency training. Then, they participated in an individual semi-structured interview that was audio recorded and transcribed. We coded and analysed the data based on a reflexive thematic analysis method with a constructionist framing, guided by normalisation process theory as a theoretical lens. All co-authors informed and validated the identified themes. RESULTS: We conducted 10 individual semi-structured interviews and generated five main themes on factors that supported or impeded the normalisation of immersive virtual reality for simulation-based training: understanding, engagement, strategies in action, appraisal and psychological safety. DISCUSSION: Immersive virtual reality contains unique challenges and potential for simulation-based training. Its strengths and limitations should be carefully considered in relation to learning goals, the target group and context. This study explored the advantages and disadvantages of various immersive virtual reality features in relation to different learning objectives and proposed practical strategies for enhancing learning in immersive virtual reality simulation-based training.

Authors 10

1. Amalie Middelboe Andersen corresponding

   Copenhagen University Hospital · Rigshospitalet

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine Copenhagen University Hospital – Rigshospitalet Denmark

2. Jesper Kjærgaard

   Copenhagen University Hospital · Rigshospitalet

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine Copenhagen University Hospital – Rigshospitalet Denmark

3. Todd P. Chang

   University of Southern California · Children's Hospital of Los Angeles

   Affiliation as printed

   Children's Hospital Los Angeles Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California California USA

   Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, California, USA

4. Anja Poulsen

   Copenhagen University Hospital · Rigshospitalet

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine Copenhagen University Hospital – Rigshospitalet Denmark

5. Joy Yeonjoo Lee Aachen Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs, The Hague Leiden University Netherlands

   Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs, The Hague, Leiden University, Netherlands

6. Line Klingen Gjærde

   Copenhagen University Hospital · Rigshospitalet

   Affiliation as printed

   Mary Elizabeth's Hospital and Juliane Marie Centre Copenhagen University Hospital – Rigshospitalet Denmark

7. Stine Borgen Lund

   Copenhagen University Hospital · Rigshospitalet

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Neonatology Copenhagen University Hospital – Rigshospitalet Denmark

8. L. Paulsen

   Odense University Hospital

   Affiliation as printed

   H.C. Andersen Children's Hospital Odense University Hospital Denmark

   H.C. Andersen Children's Hospital, Odense University Hospital, Denmark

9. Jette Led Sørensen‎

   University of Copenhagen · Copenhagen University Hospital · Rigshospitalet

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences University of Copenhagen Denmark

   Mary Elizabeth's Hospital and Juliane Marie Centre Copenhagen University Hospital – Rigshospitalet Denmark

10. Gritt Overbeck

    University of Copenhagen

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences University of Copenhagen Denmark

    Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark