Using Mobile Virtual Reality Simulation to Prepare for In-Person Helping Babies Breathe Training: Secondary Analysis...

Area of Science:

• Medical Simulation
• Digital Health Interventions
• Neonatal Resuscitation Training

Background:

• Neonatal mortality constitutes a significant portion of under-5 child deaths globally.
• Mobile virtual reality (VR) offers innovative simulation-based education for healthcare workers, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
• Mobile devices are widely accessible in LMICs, facilitating the adoption of digital health tools.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and educational effectiveness of mobile VR for precourse preparation in neonatal resuscitation.
• To assess the impact of mobile VR simulation on healthcare professionals' knowledge and skills in neonatal resuscitation.
• To explore the potential of digital interventions for improving neonatal resuscitation training in resource-limited settings.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 179 nurses and midwives in Nigeria and Kenya.
• Participants were assigned to either a mobile VR simulation group (VR) or a control group using a digitized guide only.
• Precourse preparation involved a minimum of 20 minutes of intervention, followed by knowledge and skills assessments and standard in-person training.

Main Results:

• No significant differences were observed in overall knowledge or bag and mask ventilation skills between the VR and control groups.
• Participants in the VR group demonstrated significantly better performance in critical steps like head positioning and airway clearing (P=.002).
• The control group showed better performance in identifying a helper/reviewing the emergency plan (P=.045) and handwashing (P=.048).

Conclusions:

• Mobile VR simulations represent a potentially viable approach for precourse preparation in neonatal resuscitation training.
• Digital interventions like mobile VR can supplement traditional training methods for healthcare professionals in LMICs.
• Further research is warranted to optimize VR interventions for specific neonatal resuscitation skills and improve overall training outcomes.