*SMARTSIM* A multicenter prospective randomized trial of 3D virtual reality versus traditional patient simulation
Abstract Objective Simulations are an integral part of paramedic education. Technological advancements have introduced three‐dimensional virtual reality patient simulations (3DVRS), offering a low‐cost, accessible alternative. This study compares the impact of 3DVRS and traditional simulation on par...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2024-02-01
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| Series: | Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians Open |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/emp2.13092 |
| _version_ | 1797221591681073152 |
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| author | Erin Donathan Andrea LaLumia Charles Foat Nigel Barr David I. Page |
| author_facet | Erin Donathan Andrea LaLumia Charles Foat Nigel Barr David I. Page |
| author_sort | Erin Donathan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Objective Simulations are an integral part of paramedic education. Technological advancements have introduced three‐dimensional virtual reality patient simulations (3DVRS), offering a low‐cost, accessible alternative. This study compares the impact of 3DVRS and traditional simulation on paramedic students. Methods Students selected from a convenience sample of 11 cohorts in 10 accredited programs distributed across the United States were allocated to 2 groups using a stratified random sampling. One group received simulations via 3DVRS, the second used traditional in‐person simulation. Students were exposed to 6 scenarios over 2 h from the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS) program. Altered mental status scenarios were selected a priori by the research team containing approximately 30 potential differential diagnoses. A 50‐item posttest was administered using validated cognitive items provided by Fisdap. Results A multicenter prospective randomized trial of 174 paramedic students was undertaken from April until August of 2022. The traditional simulation group was comprised of 88 students and the 3DVRS group had 86 students. A Mann–Whitney U test (U = 4064.5, n1 = 88, n2 = 86, p = 0.396) detected no statistical difference between two distributions or median exam score (70%), the range of values and interquartile range (IQR) for both groups: TS IQR = 64–75 (range, 32–82); 3DVRS IQR = 64–76 (range, 34–86). Conclusion No difference in exam scores using 3DVRS versus traditional simulation was detected. Paramedic programs may have an effective new option when incorporating simulation with 3DVRS, potentially reducing financial and real‐estate resources required with in‐person simulations. Larger studies are needed to truly evaluate the impact and usability of virtual reality on paramedic education. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T22:02:43Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e056f16d6a3e4b319e58ecc6c1fbc245 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2688-1152 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T13:07:52Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians Open |
| spelling | doaj.art-e056f16d6a3e4b319e58ecc6c1fbc2452024-04-05T06:10:53ZengWileyJournal of the American College of Emergency Physicians Open2688-11522024-02-0151n/an/a10.1002/emp2.13092*SMARTSIM* A multicenter prospective randomized trial of 3D virtual reality versus traditional patient simulationErin Donathan0Andrea LaLumia1Charles Foat2Nigel Barr3David I. Page4Public Safety and Emergency Services Institute Pima Community College Tucson Arizona USADepartment of Emergency Healthcare Weber State University Ogden Utah USAEmergency Medical Science Johnson County Community College Overland Park Kansas USASchool of Nursing Midwifery and Paramedicine, University of the Sunshine Coast Queensland AustraliaDavid Geffen School of Medicine UCLA Los Angeles California USAAbstract Objective Simulations are an integral part of paramedic education. Technological advancements have introduced three‐dimensional virtual reality patient simulations (3DVRS), offering a low‐cost, accessible alternative. This study compares the impact of 3DVRS and traditional simulation on paramedic students. Methods Students selected from a convenience sample of 11 cohorts in 10 accredited programs distributed across the United States were allocated to 2 groups using a stratified random sampling. One group received simulations via 3DVRS, the second used traditional in‐person simulation. Students were exposed to 6 scenarios over 2 h from the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS) program. Altered mental status scenarios were selected a priori by the research team containing approximately 30 potential differential diagnoses. A 50‐item posttest was administered using validated cognitive items provided by Fisdap. Results A multicenter prospective randomized trial of 174 paramedic students was undertaken from April until August of 2022. The traditional simulation group was comprised of 88 students and the 3DVRS group had 86 students. A Mann–Whitney U test (U = 4064.5, n1 = 88, n2 = 86, p = 0.396) detected no statistical difference between two distributions or median exam score (70%), the range of values and interquartile range (IQR) for both groups: TS IQR = 64–75 (range, 32–82); 3DVRS IQR = 64–76 (range, 34–86). Conclusion No difference in exam scores using 3DVRS versus traditional simulation was detected. Paramedic programs may have an effective new option when incorporating simulation with 3DVRS, potentially reducing financial and real‐estate resources required with in‐person simulations. Larger studies are needed to truly evaluate the impact and usability of virtual reality on paramedic education.https://doi.org/10.1002/emp2.13092paramedic studentspatient assessmentsvirtual reality |
| spellingShingle | Erin Donathan Andrea LaLumia Charles Foat Nigel Barr David I. Page *SMARTSIM* A multicenter prospective randomized trial of 3D virtual reality versus traditional patient simulation Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians Open paramedic students patient assessments virtual reality |
| title | *SMARTSIM* A multicenter prospective randomized trial of 3D virtual reality versus traditional patient simulation |
| title_full | *SMARTSIM* A multicenter prospective randomized trial of 3D virtual reality versus traditional patient simulation |
| title_fullStr | *SMARTSIM* A multicenter prospective randomized trial of 3D virtual reality versus traditional patient simulation |
| title_full_unstemmed | *SMARTSIM* A multicenter prospective randomized trial of 3D virtual reality versus traditional patient simulation |
| title_short | *SMARTSIM* A multicenter prospective randomized trial of 3D virtual reality versus traditional patient simulation |
| title_sort | smartsim a multicenter prospective randomized trial of 3d virtual reality versus traditional patient simulation |
| topic | paramedic students patient assessments virtual reality |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/emp2.13092 |
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