Virtual Reality for Pediatric Trauma Education - A Preliminary Face and Content Validation Study

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Virtual Reality Technology
• Pediatric Trauma Care

Background:

• Pediatric trauma education is costly and inaccessible globally.
• Innovative educational technologies like virtual reality (VR) can improve access and decentralize training.
• VR simulations offer a potential solution for enhancing skills in managing pediatric trauma.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the face and content validity of a VR software for pediatric trauma skills.
• To assess the realism, interaction, ease of use, and educational value of the VR simulation.
• To determine physician preference for VR training compared to traditional methods.

Main Methods:

• Eleven physicians from eight countries participated in the study.
• Participants tested a VR simulation of a child with blunt head and truncal trauma.
• Surveys assessed validity and cybersickness; descriptive statistics were used.

Main Results:

• The VR software was found to be realistic and valuable, preferred over high-fidelity mannequins by most participants.
• The simulation was rated higher for non-technical skills training than for technical skills.
• A majority of participants experienced discomfort and cybersickness during the VR simulation.

Conclusions:

• The VR platform is considered realistic and immersive for pediatric trauma education, especially for non-technical skills.
• Further development is needed to minimize cybersickness for future VR implementation.
• VR shows promise in enhancing pediatric trauma management skills, particularly non-technical aspects.