Combining stress inoculation with virtual reality simulation training of malignant hyperthermia

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Simulation Technology
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Limited research exists on healthcare simulation's role in mitigating clinician stress.
• Stress exposure training (SET) is known to reduce stress impacts on performance.
• Combining SET with virtual reality (VR) simulation for stress inoculation is unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if a VR module can effectively induce stress in medical students.
• To assess if repeated exposure to stressors in VR decreases stress response.
• To evaluate the feasibility of VR simulation as a stress-reduction tool.

Main Methods:

• Medical students participated in VR simulation modules for malignant hyperthermia (MH) treatment.
• The SET group received stressful stimuli during training; the Control group did not.
• Objective and subjective stress indicators were measured after each module, including electrodermal activity (EDA).

Main Results:

• Both groups reported increased stress after initial training, decreasing with repetition.
• The SET group showed decreased perceived stress and increased competence post-test compared to controls.
• VR modules were feasible; SET group demonstrated an upward trend in EDA, while controls showed varied responses.

Conclusions:

• VR simulation effectively induced stress and was well-received by participants.
• SET in VR may desensitize individuals to stressors, reducing future stress responses.
• This approach shows promise for enhancing clinician resilience in simulated environments.