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Updated: Oct 3, 2025
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Trauma bay virtual reality-A game changer for ATLS instruction and assessment
Alexander L Colonna1, Riann Robbins, Jeanine Stefanucci
1From the Department of Surgery (A.L.C., R.R., R.N.), Department of Psychology (J.S., S.C.-R.), Department of Eccles Health Sciences Library (B.P.), Department of School of Dentistry (B.T.E.), and Educational Psychology (A.F.), University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Background:
Medical educational research highlights the need for high-fidelity, multidisciplinary simulation training to teach complex decision-making skills, such as those taught in Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS). This approach is, however, expensive and time-intensive. Virtual reality (VR) education simulation may improve skill acquisition in a cost-effective and time-sensitive manner. We developed a novel trauma VR simulator (TVRSim) for providers to apply ATLS principles. We hypothesized in this pilot study that TVRSim could differentiate practitioner competency with increasing experience and would be well accepted.
Methods:
Providers at a Level I trauma center (acute care surgeons, novice (MS4 & PGY1), junior (PGY2 & 3), senior (PGY4-6) residents) ran a blunt, polytrauma VR code. Ten critical decision points were assessed: intubation, cricothyroidotomy, chest tube, intravenous access, focused abdominal sonography for trauma examination, pelvic binder, activation of massive transfusion protocol, administration of hypertonic saline, hyperventilation and decision to go to the operating room (OR). Learner assessment was based on frequency and time to correct decisions. Participant satisfaction was measured using validated surveys.
Results:
All 31 providers intubated and obtained intravenous access. Novices and juniors frequently failed at hypertonic saline and hyperventilation decisions. Juniors often failed at cricothyroidotomy (60%) and OR (100%) decisions. Mean time to all decisions except going to the OR was longer for all groups compared to acute care surgeons. Mean number of decisions/min was significantly higher for surgeons and seniors compared to juniors and novices. Mortality was 92.3% for novices, 80% for juniors, 25% for seniors and 0% for the attendings. Participants found TVRSim comfortable, easy to use/interact with/performance enhancing, and helped develop skills and learning.
Conclusions:
In this pilot study using a sample of convenience, TVRSim was able to discern decision-making abilities among trainees with increasing experience. All trainees felt that the platform enhanced their performance and facilitated skill acquisition and learning. TVRSim could be a useful adjunct to teach and assess ATLS skills.
Level Of Evidence:
Diagnostic Test or Criteria; Level IV.
