Development and pilot evaluation of a virtual reality simulator for HDR prostate brachytherapy

To develop a virtual reality simulator for high dose rate prostate brachytherapy and to test whether participation is associated with immediate gains in self-reported confidence across predefined procedural domains in two cohorts.

Using Unreal Engine, we developed and implemented two modules: patient preparation and template-guided needle insertion. Oncology staff and trainees completed pre and postsurveys that assessed confidence for recalling steps, explaining steps, identifying equipment, and explaining equipment function. Studies were conducted at the Hands-On Brachytherapy Workshop (HOWBT) in London, Ontario, and at Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Centre in Toronto, Ontario. Paired Wilcoxon signed rank tests with two-sided p values compared before and after scores within each module.

Patient preparation (N = 11) confidence increased for recalling steps (W = 65, p = 0.002), explaining steps (W = 65, p = 0.002), identifying equipment (W = 51, p = 0.023), and explaining equipment function (W = 60, p = 0.008). Needle insertion (N = 27) confidence increased for recalling steps (W = 292, p < 0.001), explaining steps (W = 347, p < 0.001), identifying equipment (W = 355, p < 0.001), and explaining equipment function (W = 354, p < 0.001).

The simulator was feasible to deploy and was associated with higher self-reported confidence across key domains immediately after training. Findings may inform future curriculum design and implementation work.