Overview
In collaboration with Association for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, we developed a virtual reality medical training program aimed at tackling the challenges of simulations using mannequins. A portable, cost-effective VR solution that simulates urgent medical scenarios to enhance practitioner competence and safeguard professional standing.
- Compelling storyboards for a complex topic like laryngospasm posed a huge challenge.
- Animating multiple characters and vital signs added complexity.
- With a module on Laryngospasm, the VR solution was developed in Unity for Oculus Quest 2.
- The patient’s case is presented with textual and audio descriptions, using a virtual avatar.
- Interactive object highlighting and authentic action replication.
Case
In the fast-paced realm of healthcare, where every moment counts, and every breath holds weight, excellence and promptness reign supreme. Hence training in the medical field is indispensable, and this is where the transformative power of virtual reality comes to play. One of our remarkable collaborations was with an esteemed Association for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Earlier, they used to work on simulations using mannequins, the approach was not only expensive but also very challenging to move around to different meeting venues. Hence, they joined forces with us to create a virtual reality medical training program aimed at tackling these obstacles head-on.
The Association for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons faced a unique challenge during their membership renewals every five years, where members had to pass a rigorous test. The project kicked off by crafting a VR simulation of a medical scenario in a clinic, simulating a patient facing a sudden breathing complication, requiring urgent life-saving actions before the arrival of emergency responders. The urgency of such situations extends beyond patient care; it also implicates the professional standing of the practitioner and licensure of the attending physician.
Taking such contexts into account, we developed a VR solution that is a portable, cost-effective, and an incredibly effective alternative. Through the immersive simulations, doctors can practice responding to emergencies with precision, ensuring patient safety. A game-changer VR training solution that blends cutting-edge VR technology with life-saving skills, ensuring that every doctor is prepared to handle critical situations with confidence and competence.
While many associate VR with gaming, at Travancore Analytics (TA), we’ve pioneered numerous training solutions, ranging from forklift operations to subsea engineering and rehabilitation.
Challenges
Our team encountered several challenges, with one of the main hurdles being the creation of a compelling storyboard for a complex topic like laryngospasm. This required extensive research and approval from our client, a medical practitioner, to ensure accuracy in depicting emergency procedures, drug dosages, and interactive objects within the scenario.The environment also presented challenges, as we needed to animate multiple characters, including first and second assistants, a surgeon, and a nurse, to ensure a seamless flow of the scenario while the user interacts with various elements. Additionally, animating vital signs such as heart rate, oxygen levels, and blood pressure based on user actions added another layer of complexity to the development process.
Looking ahead, our upcoming modules are focused on real-time collaboration and role selection, allowing users to choose their roles based on their expertise. This user management feature enhances the application’s attractiveness and provides a more immersive and tailored training experience.
Solution
The VR training solution was developed in Unity for Oculus Quest 2. The solution involved initially the development of a module on the scenario involving Laryngospasm. In the module, a patient arrives at the clinic for a dental extraction only to encounter this life-threatening condition where airways are constricted during anesthesia administration.To navigate this critical situation and save the patient’s life, a series of emergency procedures must be executed swiftly. Our solution recreates this terrifying experience in a realistic life-like 3D environment, immersing users in a virtual clinical setting upon putting on the headset.
In this simulated environment, users are tasked with making crucial decisions in real-time, with missteps triggering immediate alerts, ensuring a risk-free learning experience. From executing Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Ventilation (CPAP) to precisely adjusting drug dosages based on vital signs, every step is executed realistically. The patient’s case is comprehensively presented through both textual and audio descriptions, complemented by a virtual avatar that guides users through each procedural step. Each essential object, like the bag valve mask or syringes, is prominently highlighted to guide users in selecting the correct tool for each procedure. For example, users can interact with the bag valve mask (BVM), mimicking real-life actions such as squeezing the BVM to administer oxygen. This experience replicates actual techniques, enhancing the authenticity and effectiveness of the training. Furthermore, the sound of the patient in laryngospasm is authentically replicated, adding to the realism of the scenario. This hands-on approach enables users to practice emergency procedures methodically and accurately, without the inherent risks of real-world mistakes.
Our dedicated 3D modeling team has ensured a seamless integration of audio and textual guidance from the virtual avatar, enhancing the overall learning experience and promoting mastery of emergency medical procedures.
This solution serves as a steppingstone to an array of modules within our application, enriching medical education and practice through immersive, interactive, and risk-free virtual reality training.
The highlights of the VR clinical training solution are as follows:
– Immersive simulation of a life-threatening emergency
– Realistic virtual clinical setting
– Risk-free learning solution where the users make crucial decisions in real-time without real-world consequences
– Interactive object highlighting
– Authentic action replication
– Authentic replication of the patient’s sounds
– Seamless audio and textual integration
Impact
The VR clinical solution is a testament to our commitment to pushing the boundaries of technological innovation in healthcare. In an industry where training is paramount and the stakes soar high, our solution caters to the critical need for an immersive, and safe training experience. By allowing users to interact with modules repeatedly and remotely, the solution empowers them to perfect their skills without compromising patient safety or incurring prohibitive costs. This accessibility not only fosters a deeper understanding of emergency procedures but also builds confidence and expertise, enhancing the quality of patient care and ultimately saving lives.
The realistic environments simulated by the VR solution provide an unparalleled learning experience, bridging the gap between theory and practice. Users gain invaluable insights into emergency scenarios, improving their knowledge retention and preparedness for real-world situations. This transformative approach not only strengthens the capabilities of healthcare professionals but also sets a new standard in training.
The impact of the VR clinical training solution is as follows:
– Risk-free training
– Flexibility for users to access unlimited training
– Realistic environments to enhance understanding of different scenarios
– Improved knowledge retention
– Confidence in handling medical emergencies