Journal of Regional Medical Campuses

Virtual Reality CPR Training Improves Knowledge Acquisition of Critical Tasks

Catherine Wares

Atrium Health - UNC School of Medicine, Charlotte Campus

Ethen Ellington

Atrium Health’s Carolinas Medical Center

Andrew Kitchen

Atrium Health’s Carolinas Medical Center

Michael Runyon

Atrium Health’s Carolinas Medical Center

David Pearson

Atrium Health’s Carolinas Medical Center

Mark J. Bullard

Atrium Health’s Carolinas Medical Center

Michele Birch

Atrium Health’s Carolinas Medical Center

Heather Tarantino

Atrium Health’s Carolinas Medical Center

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24926/jrmc.v7i1.4532

Keywords: VR, virtual reality, innovative education, ume, gme, emergency medicine, training, cpr, cardiac arrest, simulation

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Abstract

Objectives: Team-focused cardiopulmonary resuscitation (TFCPR) is a choreographed approach to CPR in which responders know and practice their role in resuscitation, with prioritization on minimally-interrupted chest compressions and early appropriate defibrillation. To determine the feasibility of virtual reality (VR) for large scale educational deployment at a regional medical campus (RMC), we developed a VR training module and examined its effect on resuscitation knowledge acquisition among clinicians of various learner levels.

Methods: Three separate cohorts were included in the investigation: third year medical students at our RMC, emergency medicine (EM) residents, and board-certified EM attending physicians. Participants were administered an iPad-based, de-identified pre-test, which assessed knowledge of 12 critical resuscitative tasks. All learners received a two-minute orientation to the VR headset fit and operation. Learners then completed training on the VR platform using two cardiac arrest clinical scenarios: an arrest with an initial shockable rhythm and another with a non-shockable initial rhythm. After completion of VR training, participants completed a post-test, again assessing knowledge of the 12 critical action resuscitative tasks, as well as a questionnaire determining metrics related to participants’ overall experience with VR training.

Results: All participants demonstrated statistically significant increases in post-test scores after VR training with the combined median improvement of 12.5% (CI 12.5–17.0; p <0.0001). Medical students demonstrated the greatest median pre-post score improvement (17%; CI 12.5–25.0; p <0.0001]. Study participants reported the VR training platform to be enjoyable, realistic, immersive, and a good way to learn, with good visual-sensory tolerance and a satisfying training method.

Conclusions: At our RMC and single hospital, pre-and post-test analysis, knowledge acquisition of critical resuscitation skills improved after VR TFCPR training for all learners. Additionally, participants demonstrated a high level of satisfaction with VR as a training methodology. VR is a feasible knowledge acquisition adjunct or alternative to traditional cardiac arrest resuscitation training.

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Author Biographies

Ethen Ellington, Atrium Health’s Carolinas Medical Center

Department of Emergency Medicine, Staff Physician

Andrew Kitchen, Atrium Health’s Carolinas Medical Center

Department of Emergency Medicine, Staff Physician

Michael Runyon, Atrium Health’s Carolinas Medical Center

Department of Emergency Medicine, Professor

David Pearson, Atrium Health’s Carolinas Medical Center

Department of Emergency Medicine, Professor

Mark J. Bullard, Atrium Health’s Carolinas Medical Center

Carolinas Simulation Center, Department of Emergency Medicine, Professor

Michele Birch, Atrium Health’s Carolinas Medical Center

Department of Family Medicine, Associate Professor

Heather Tarantino, Atrium Health’s Carolinas Medical Center

Department of Internal Medicine, Associate Professor