Abstract:

This presentation details a collaborative research project between Nursing and Midwifery, Pharmacy and Medicine at Keele University, to explore the development of team working skills (NOTECH) and debrief within an inter-professional active virtual learning environment (KAVE).

The virtual ward and NOTECH training provided within the KAVE are thought to be the first of its kind within the UK. The project has been presented recently within Australia and been very positively received. KAVE is a physical room where three-dimensional ‘stereoscopic’ visuals display on three walls and the floor, to create a computer generated virtual environment. A student wears active 3D glasses and a lightweight head and hand-tracking device. The computer-generated visuals respond to position in the KAVE and allow the student to ‘pick up’ and interact with digital objects such as care plans, prescription charts, observation charts etc. The virtual ward is able to simulate observation and diagnostic skills training. ECG monitors’ provide information regarding the status of each virtual patient within the ward (4 – 6 are usually used).

It has been recognised that a major challenge for OSCE’s in clinical training is standardisation of the process and ensuring appropriate access for students. The virtual ward has been developed to simulate interactions between the students and a virtual patient (or avatar). Students can immerse themselves within a clinical ward setting and practice team leadership, management and communication skills in a practical and ethically safe environment (Kirriemuir, 2009; Skiba, 2009). This enables students to make mistakes without repercussions or causing clinical harm to patients. Students can analyse and evaluate the scenarios encountered and work on their non-technical skills in the environment during the role-play; all will participate within the structured debrief.

Aims:
Provide a demonstration of the range of possibilities of an immersive active virtual learning environment to accomplishing NOTECH skills development;
To discuss potential and concern of inter-professional learning within a virtual learning environment;
To outline initial evaluation of implementation of pilot study of inter-professional learning within the KAVE and detail the next phase of implementation within postgraduate studies.

Keywords:

Virtual Learning, KAVE, innovation, Immersive technology, inter-professional.