The Application of Augmented Reality in Simulation-Based Design Evaluations of Trauma Rooms

This study examined the augmented reality (AR) application in design evaluations through an immersive experience of medical task simulations in combination with a full-scale physical mock-up of a trauma room.

Augmented reality technology is emerging in various fields including architectural design. Traditionally, building physical mock-ups has been the most effective tool to involve end-users in design evaluations. However, AR can eliminate cost- and labor-intensive components of a physical mock-up by replacing them with holograms.

Two simulation sessions with emergency department clinicians were conducted using AR. The research team collected user feedback through simulations and interviews. Clinicians' feedback was systematically categorized and summarized according to various design elements.

The integration of mock-up and AR simulations enabled the evaluation of design elements that were previously unattainable. Examples include simulating color-coded floor boundaries and adjusting door widths, which enhanced clinicians' immersion and involvement in design changes. Interviews and analyses of video recordings captured from the clinicians' perspectives supported the design evaluations during simulations.

Augmented reality has great potential to be used widely in the evaluation of healthcare environment design. Augmented reality is an innovative approach that can benefit end-users in interacting with a mix of real spaces and virtual components. It also introduces new ways of data collection and analysis to architectural design evaluation methods.