news
news
Students from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts bring the immersive virtual experience to life through use of motion capture technology . Picture : supplied .
‘ Crucial training ’
VR program helps nurses learn to de-escalate violence in hospitals
By Arshmah Jamal
A
new project will allow student nurses to learn how to negotiate verbal and physical abuse without being put in harm ’ s way .
IVADE is an immersive computer simulation program by Edith Cowan University ( ECU ), made to help nurses and nursing students practise making decisions when faced with a hostile patient . Participants can either wear virtual reality goggles or access the program on their desktop computer .
When confronted with the agitated patient they are given a number of options that can lead to six outcomes ranging from calming him down to physical violence .
Joshua Johnson , a research assistant from the Simulation and Immersive Digital Technology Group at Edith Cowan University , said the development of the program was integral for the future of nursing .
“ We know that aggression , violence , and the incidents stemming from it have serious and far-reaching consequences on the clinicians , their mental health , and the delivery of patient care ,” Mr Johnson said .
“ But , training to combat violent incidents can assist in reducing the possibility of harm to themselves , their colleagues , the patients .”
“ IVADE uses immersive virtual reality as an avenue to allow them to access training in their own time , which removes the barrier of staff waiting for crucial training .”
Workplace violence is among the most significant and dangerous issues nurses face globally , with patients being the most common source .
A study by the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association revealed that 80 per cent of nurses had experienced an episode of violence , with a reported injury rate of 28 per cent .
NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research recorded a six per cent increase in violent hospital incidents over five years .
Mr Johnson said IVADE would eventually help lower these statistics , with professionals providing positive feedback .
“ We had 150 professionals and students trialling this out , and we received positive feedback ,” Mr Johnson told Nursing Review .
“ 80 per cent of nurses had experienced an episode of violence , with a reported injury rate of 28 per cent
“ Nine out of 10 said they had a strong desire for further aggression and violence training in virtual reality .”
The program has been integrated into three metropolitan healthcare systems in WA and offered to nursing students at ECU .
Mr Johnson said the future of IVADE suggested positive outcomes for nurses and students , with a potential for the program to be integrated into other areas .
“ We ’ re looking at collaborating with Perth Children ’ s Hospital to develop a violent paediatric patient ,” he said .
“ Other potential markets we ’ ve had interest from is the government , where we ’ ve had initial talks about how this training style will play out and be integrated into areas such as customer service roles in Centrelink .”
“ When developing this program , we made sure to make it in conjunction with the nurses so it is relevant and beneficial .” ■
6 | nursingreview . com . au