NEWS
West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
WVSOM Introduces Virtual Reality Educational Component
Medical students at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine ( WVSOM ) have a new method of learning patient scenarios , one that uses a headset and hand controllers in a virtual reality simulation .
WVSOM is the first medical school in the state to purchase SimX virtual reality medical simulation , according to Jenny Patton , WVSOM ’ s electronic health record manager , who helped facilitate the introduction of the learning tool at the school .
“ Virtual reality cuts costs and enables distance learning . With SimX , instructors , learners , and observers can work from different locations and join in virtual reality to work through the same cases using virtual patients ,” Patton said . “ Currently , SimX is the only system that also lets you run in-person multiplayer cases together in your simulation and communicate just as you would in real life .”
In July , WVSOM purchased six virtual reality headsets , with the ability to run three different case scenarios at a time with up to six participants . Other institutions and organizations that use SimX technology include the Mayo Clinic , Ohio State University , the U . S . Department of Veterans Affairs , New York University ,
Purdue University , Pennsylvania State University , the U . S . Air Force , and Stanford University , among others .
Patton said she has been suggesting the use of virtual reality in the school ’ s curriculum for about eight years and is happy the school pulled the trigger on moving toward incorporating these tools into the curriculum .
“ We will be able to simulate any environment , any case scenario or diagnosis , and any patient type , whether it be pediatric or adult ,” Patton said . “ Virtual reality simulation sets up anywhere , which means instructors can integrate it into lectures , small group sessions , and even send students home with headsets so they can work together in multiplayer simulation scenarios facilitated by an instructor remotely . The technology allows students to immerse themselves in the most realistic clinical environment possible .”
Faculty and students tested the technology during simulation experiences in September at the school ’ s Clinical Evaluation Center , where simulation is at the forefront of medical education . Some treated a simulated patient who had an allergic reaction to an antibiotic , while others handled a more complex case involving a pediatric patient who collapsed during physical exercise class and who entered ventricular tachycardia , where participants were later expected to resuscitate the patient .
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