Designing Virtual Gaming Simulations

Curricular uptake of virtual gaming simulation in nursing education

In nursing education, virtual simulations are used to augment in-person simulation and prepare and supplement students for clinical placements. More recently, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual simulations are being used to replace clinical hours. Many virtual simulations require the user to make decisions that affect the outcome of the simulated experience. In this article, we provide a historical account of the virtual gaming simulations that members of our team developed and the processes that led to successful uptake into curriculum. In addition, we share lessons learned from our experiences in terms of maximizing curricular uptake. We found engagement of the teaching team is essential when using VGS in a course. In addition, when using VGS, it is important to follow the process of prebrief, enactment, debrief and evaluation. Educators can build on and grow from our lessons learned so that the path to embedding virtual gaming simulation in curriculum becomes clear.

Usability of mental illness simulation involving scenarios with patients with schizophrenia via immersive virtual reality: A mixed methods study

Objectives

Schizophrenia is one of the most prevalent mental illnesses contributing to national burden worldwide. It is well known that mental health nursing education, including clinical placement, is still insufficient to reach the optimal level of competency in nursing students. This study suggests a new form of mental health virtual reality (VR) simulation that is user-friendly and engaging to improve education about schizophrenia, thereby improving its treatment.

Method

A mixed-methods study was conducted with a total of 60 nursing students, using 360-degree videos of five different scenarios reflecting clinical symptoms of schizophrenia patients and related treatment tasks delivered via head-mounted displays (HMDs). We used a 17-item quantitative questionnaire and a 7-item open-ended qualitative questionnaire to evaluate the ease of use and usefulness of the VR simulation program and to identify areas where further improvement is required.

Results

The VR simulation program was perceived as useful and exciting. Participants stressed that the high realism of the simulation increased their engagement in and motivation to learn about mental health nursing. Some participants made suggestions, such as further refining the picture and sound quality in order to achieve satisfactory educational outcomes.

Conclusion

VR simulation using 360-degree videos and HMDs could serve as an effective alternative form of clinical training in mental health nursing. Education could be enhanced by its benefits of being engaging and exciting, as reported by this study’s participants.