Introducing Virtual Reality in a STEMI Coronary Syndrome Course: Qualitative Evaluation with Nurses and Doctors
Authors:Forgiarini, A., Deroma, L., Buttussi, F., Zangrando, N., Licata, S., Valent, F., Chittaro, L., Di Chiara, A.
Published in:Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, in press, 2024.
Abstract:In the increasing number of medical education topics taught with virtual reality (VR), the pre-hospital
management of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) had not been considered. This paper
proposes an implemented VR system for STEMI training and introduces it in an institutional course
addressed to emergency nurses and case manager doctors.
The system comprises three different applications to respectively allow i) the course instructor to control
the conditions of the virtual patient, ii) the case manager to communicate with the nurse in the virtual
field and receive from him/her the patient’s parameters and electrocardiogram, iii) the nurse to interact
with the patient in the immersive VR scenario.
We enrolled 17 course participants to collect their perceptions and opinions through a semi-structured
interview. The thematic analysis showed the system was appreciated (n=17) and described as engaging
(n=4), challenging (n=5), useful to improve self-confidence (n=4), innovative (n=5), and promising for
training courses (n=10). Realism was also appreciated (n=13), although with some drawbacks (e.g.,
oversimplification; n=5). Overall, participants described the course as an opportunity to share opinions
(n=8) and highlight issues (n=4) and found it useful for novices (n=5) and, as a refresh, for experienced
personnel (n=6). Some participants suggested improvements in the scenarios’ type (n=5) and variability
(n=5). Although most participants did not report usage difficulties with the VR system (n=13), many
described the need to get familiar with it (n=13) and the specific gestures it requires (n=10). Three
suffered from cybersickness.
