Virtual Reality Trauma Simulation: New Frontiers in Simulation Technology

Emergency Medicine physicians have limited exposure to high-acuity, low-occurrence (HALO) events, such as blast injuries. The CDC recognizes that few physicians today have experience in treating patients who have blast-related injuries. Simulation is the best practice to train for these rare events, however, its use is limited by the significant amount of resources involved, as well as the number of participants that can be trained per session. We will demonstrate a virtual reality, three-dimensional, 360 degree simulation of a blast injury. Each learner will be supplied with a virtual reality headset (up to 100 headsets can be supplied), and will be able to engage in a first-person perspective of a simulated, high fidelity resuscitation of a blast injury patient who arrives in critical condition following a mass casualty event. The simulation will be interactive, with different outcomes possible depending on medical decision-making, and will be experienced by each learner individually, allowing for wide dissemination without significant resources needed at a simulation center. This will provide participants with an example of how virtual reality simulation may be used for teaching, as well as future opportunities for this burgeoning technology. Following this didactic, participants will be able to analyze the opportunities and feasibility of utilizing virtual reality to simulate high-acuity, low-occurrence events. Participants will also learn to manage blast injuries, and apply unique principles of resuscitation to these patients.

Presenter:

• Benjamin Lin, MD