W. Goering1, J. W. Menard1, A. Deladisma1, M. Dimachk1, J. Wood3, B. Lok3, S. Lampotang4, A. Wendling2, A. Cordar3, D. S. Lind1 1University Of Florida-Jacksonville,General Surgery,Jacksonville, FL, USA 2University Of Florida-Jacksonville,Anesthesia,Jacksonville, FL, USA 3University Of Florida-Gainesville,Computer & Information Science & Engineering,Gainesville, FL, USA 4University Of Florida-Gainesville,Anesthesia,Gainesville, FL, USA
Introduction: Time constraints limit the ability to bring all OR team members together simultaneously to practice group communication skills. We hypothesize that virtual humans (VHs) can model behavior and scenarios for healthcare providers to learn communication and teamwork skills in the operating room (OR). Therefore, we constructed and piloted an interactive team training exercise involving multiple VHs that represent essential OR team members. To determine the initial face validity and realism of the VH interaction, volunteers participated in a surgery safety checklist scenario with the virtual team members.
Methods: Three virtual human teammates were assembled using a 40 inch 1080 pixel television mounted on a rolling stand with an HDMI connection to a Dell computer with Microsoft Kinect 2 software. The setting for all of the interactions was an actual OR in the outpatient surgical center (OSC) at the University of Florida – Jacksonville. The verbal responses of the VHs were controlled by a Wizard of Oz technique but VHs displayed normal speech, eye contact, facial expressions and movements when interacting with participants.
Results: Eleven medical professionals (4 Surgeons, 3 Nurses, 2 Medical Students and 2 Anesthesiologists) volunteered to participate in the mixed reality scenario. Following the VH simulation activity, participants completed a survey regarding the face validity and realism of the interaction.
Conclusion: We created an interactive Virtual Human scenario aimed to teach and enhance communication skills in the operating room. A pilot study with medical students, nursing, anesthesia, and surgery personnel demonstrated high face validity for the interaction with the virtual teammates. The VHs were perceived by human teammates as real OR team members in the surgical safety checklist scenario and if generally applicable, may be useful for healthcare providers from diverse backgrounds to enhance team communication skills to improve patient safety
