Author(s):  
Atsusi Hirumi ◽  
Benjamin Chak Lum Lok ◽  
Teresa R. Johnson ◽  
Kyle Johnsen ◽  
Diego de Jesus Rivera-Gutierrez ◽  
...  

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S146-S146
Author(s):  
Vimal Mannali ◽  
Paul Strickland ◽  
Craig laBuscagne ◽  
Joy Clift

AimsSurrey and Borders NHS Foundation Trust's AVATr (Augmented Virtual-reality Avatar in Training) is a unique ground-breaking Virtual Patient Simulation System, which uses the Xenodu platform to train learners in essential clinical and complex communication skills. Over 30 patient scenarios have been developed after identifying learner-specific development needs, including exploration of overt psychosis, assessment of capacity, sharing bad news, and neglect in care home residents. Actors are filmed responding to several domains of clinical questions, further categorised into three narrative-modes of being ‘Engaged, Neutral or Disengaged’, to build a bank of scenarios. During the session, the trainee is projected on to a large screen, using a camera and video special effects, which results in a life-like interaction with the Virtual Patient. Trainees can view themselves interacting with the Virtual Patient in real-time, from a unique ‘out-of-body' perspective, immersed in a custom-designed interactive virtual environment. The simulation facilitator engages with the learner and determines the appropriate choices of responses for the Virtual Patient and if needed, can prompt with explorative cues to continue the narrative-linked conversation. AVATr model pioneered in United Kingdom the use of an innovative ‘self-observational approach’ in Psychiatry training. This is different to a first-person perspective used in virtual or augmented-reality systems in several clinical specialties. The use of Facilitated-Debrief and Peer-Debrief in sessions, render another layer to the simulation experience.MethodDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, we evolved the AVATr model to remote or hybrid sessions, where simulations were digitally enhanced, and have been run through Microsoft Teams. The simulation facilitator is connected to a multi-user video call, enabling the Virtual Patient to be projected as an attendee using Microsoft Teams.ResultThe hybrid model of AVATr has received tremendous feedback, as it now simulates video-consultations that a vast majority of Psychiatry trainees, especially community-based, undertake due to COVID-19 restrictions. The format of AVATr simulation sessions has remained unchanged, and the remote delivery has been particularly successful as it allows trainees to log in from different remote locations to come together for an interactive training session, without any physical restrictions.ConclusionSince 2015, our simulation platform has been utilised for Post-Graduate Medical Education, to enhance essential professional skills and stimulate professional growth. Currently the hybrid model of AVATr is being expanded to Nursing, Psychology and Allied Health Professional (AHP) clinical training streams, along with Undergraduate Medical Education, to address identified gaps in face-to-face training amidst COVID-19 pandemic.


2020 ◽  
Vol 115 (1) ◽  
pp. S235-S235
Author(s):  
Jovana Lubarda ◽  
Shari Dermer ◽  
Darren M. Brenner ◽  
Brian E. Lacy

CNS Spectrums ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 189-190
Author(s):  
Jovana Lubarda ◽  
Martin Warters ◽  
Piyali Chatterjee ◽  
Marlene P. Freeman ◽  
Roger S. McIntyre

AbstractObjectivesThe goal of this study was to determine physician performance in diagnosis and management of postpartum depression (PPD) and to provide needed education in the consequence free environment of a virtual patient simulation (VPS).Methods∙ A continuing medical education activity was delivered via an online VPS learning platform that offers a lifelike clinical care experience with complete freedom of choice in clinical decision-making and expert personalized feedback to address learner’s practice gaps∙ Physicians including psychiatrists, primary care physicians (PCPs), and obstetricians/gynecologists (ob/gyns) were presented with two cases of PPD designed to model the experience of actual practice by including use of electronic health records∙ Following virtual interactions with patients, physicians were asked to make decisions regarding assessments, diagnoses, and pharmacologic therapies. The clinical decisions were analyzed using a sophisticated decision engine, and clinical guidance (CG) based on current evidence-based recommendations was provided in response to learners’ clinical decisions∙ Impact of the education was measured by comparing participant decisions pre- and post-CG using a 2-tailed, paired t-test; P <.05 was considered statistically significant∙ The activity launched on Medscape Education on April 26, 2018, and data were collected through to June 17,2018.Results∙ From pre- to post-CG in the simulation, physicians were more likely to make evidence-based clinical decisions related to:∙ Ordering appropriate baseline tests including tools/scales to screen for PPD: in case 1, psychiatrists (n=624) improved from 34% to 42% on average (P<.05); PCPs (n=197) improved from 38% to 48% on average (P<.05); and, ob/gyns (n=216) improved from 30% to 38% on average (P<.05)∙ Diagnosing moderate-to-severe PPD: in case 2, psychiatrists (n=531) improved from 46% to 62% (P<.05); PCPs (n=154) improved from 43% to 55% (P<.05); and, ob/gyns (n=137) improved from 55% to 73% (P<.05)∙ Ordering appropriate treatments for moderate-to-severe PPD such as selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors: in case 2, psychiatrists (n=531) improved from 47% CG to 75% (P<.05); PCPs (n=154) improved from 55% to 74% (P<.05); and, ob/gyns (n=137) improved from 51% to 78% (P<.05)∙ Interestingly, a small percentage of physicians (average of 5%) chose investigational agents for PPD which were in clinical trials pre-CG, and this increased to an average of 9% post-CGConclusionsPhysicians who participated in VPS-based education significantly improved their clinical decision-making in PPD, particularly in selection of validated screening tools/scales, diagnosis, and pharmacologic treatments based on severity. Given that VPS immerses physicians in an authentic, practical learning experience matching the scope of clinical practice, this type of intervention can be used to determine clinical practice gaps and translate knowledge into practice.Funding Acknowledgements: The educational activity and outcomes measurement were funded through an independent educational grant from Sage Therapeutics, Inc.


Information ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nataly Martini ◽  
Kate Farmer ◽  
Shambhavi Patil ◽  
Gauis Tan ◽  
Cindy Wang ◽  
...  

“Ready to Practice?”(R2P) is a virtual patient simulation designed for undergraduate medical and pharmacy students. After initial prototyping, R2P developed into a screen-based virtual patient (VP) simulation with an intuitive interface using photorealistic images of people and places with speech bubbles and decision menus. We describe the design of the VP, findings from student experiences with the software, and the potential of VPs for interprofessional learning. We used a mixed methods study to assess students’ perceptions of the VP as a learning tool. Qualitative data were gathered using semi-structured interviews and observations, and quantitative data through the Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS) and an evaluation questionnaire. Overall, participants showed significantly improved RIPLS scores after participation in the simulation (78.78 to 82.25, p < 0.0001), including in the Positive Professional Identify domain (p < 0.001). Students also showed significant improvement in RIPLS scores in the Teamwork and Collaboration domain when pharmacy and medical students were working together in interprofessional pairs (40.75 to 43.00, p < 0.006) but not when working alone (n.s.). Five themes emerged from interviews where participants identified specific interprofessional insights into each other’s roles and skills. Students found the VP engaging and valuable for their learning and their understanding of teamwork.


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