Using Virtual Human Technology in Perioperative Team Training Simulations

Abstract

Incorporating virtual human (VH) technology into simulation programs for perioperative education and training can improve interdisciplinary teamwork and communication. The development of VHs allowed interdisciplinary teams at the University of Florida Health Shands Hospital to overcome obstacles during training, such as communication gaps. A multidisciplinary team that included perioperative leaders and quality specialists developed three scenarios for interdisciplinary training to provide participants with the opportunity to practice their communication skills and improve patient safety. Using validated tools to promote standardized communication, participants had to address patient safety concerns assertively during the simulations. After each simulation session, quality specialists conducted a debriefing, collected data via surveys, and identified areas for improvement. As a result of the VH simulation sessions, perioperative staff members reported increased confidence and competence when providing patient care. Using VHs to enhance education is an innovative strategy that is useful for both novice and experienced perioperative nurses.

Evaluation of nursing students' efficacy, attitude, and confidence level in a perioperative setting using virtual‐reality simulation

“…Although technical skills are fundamental to the role of a scrub nurse, the ability to promote safe practice through critical thinking and decision‐making is equally important. It was likely that the immediate feedback provided during the virtual‐reality simulation improved their understanding of the workflow 24,25 …”

“…It was likely that the immediate feedback provided during the virtual-reality simulation improved their understanding of the workflow. 24,25 Evidence has suggested that only 61.3% of nursing students were confident in applying knowledge to safe practice. 26 Therefore, this study sought to understand the level of confidence among nursing students through virtual-reality simulation.…”

Strategies to Implement a Competency Assessment Verification Program

“…20 Interprofessional simulations also allow all members of the surgical team to partner in a collaborative environment. 21 This education methodology may be effective for emergent event scenarios (eg, cardiac arrest, malignant hyperthermia response).…”

Toward interprofessional team training for surgeons and anesthesiologists using virtual reality

“…Cordar et al [11] proposed a simulator that allows anesthesia residents to work with a mixed reality team that represented on large monitor screens. Furthermore, Brunges et al [24] presented a similar mixed reality technology for interdisciplinary teams. Their results indicated that ineffective preoperative team member communication can result in serious patient harm.…”