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A Novel Screen-Based Virtual Reality Tool for Teaching Brain Death Determination: A Pilot Study of the Virtual
Mikel S Ehntholt1, Patricia A Mulvania2, Theresa A Daly2
1Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.
Objective:
To assess physician acceptance of a Virtual Reality Brain Death Determination Tool (VRBDDT) as an educational modality and its impact on physician knowledge and confidence in brain death determination and communication with patient families.
Design:
Prospective pilot study using surveys administered pretraining and post-training.
Setting:
One hundred twenty-six acute care hospitals within the Gift of Life Donor Program's Donor Service Area.
Subjects:
Physicians responsible for performing brain death determination.
Interventions:
Participants completed a novel, virtual reality-based training program consisting of eLearning modules integrated with virtual reality simulations of brain death determination procedures and family communication.
Measurements And Main Results:
Of 142 enrolled participants, 69 completed both pretraining and post-training assessments consisting of a 14-item questionnaire. Median scores significantly improved from 73.2% pretraining to 91.1% post-training (p < 0.001). Participants demonstrated the largest improvements in knowledge about clinical examination procedures and family communication skills. Self-reported confidence significantly increased post-training, with high satisfaction and acceptance ratings reported by participants.
Conclusions:
The VRBDDT was accepted by physicians and significantly enhanced knowledge and confidence related to brain death determination and family communication.
