Training the public health emergency response workforce: a mixed-methods approach to evaluating the virtual reality modality

• Published in: BMJ open 2023-05, Vol.13 (5), p.e063527-e063527
• Main Authors: Bugli, Dante, Dick, Leah, Wingate, Kaitlin C, Driscoll, Scott, Beck, Dave, Walsh, Bridget, Greiner, Ashley Lauren
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Codes; Data analysis; Disease control; EDUCATION & TRAINING (see Medical Education & Training); EPIDEMIOLOGY; Feedback; Humans; Learning; Millennials; Mixed methods research; Prospective Studies; Public Health; Self Report; Simulation; Soft skills; United States; Virtual Reality; Workforce
• ISSN: 2044-6055; 2044-6055
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-063527

ObjectivesTo produce and evaluate a novel virtual reality (VR) training for public health emergency responders.DesignFollowing a VR training designed to test key public health emergency responder competencies, a prospective cohort of participants completed surveys rating self-assessed skill levels and perceptions of training methods.SettingThe VR training sessions were administered in a quiet room at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, Georgia.ParticipantsAll participants volunteered from a list of CDC emergency international surge responders.Outcome measuresPerceived impact of the training on responder skills was self-reported via a Likert 5-point scale questionnaire. Assessments were modelled according to the Expanded Technology Acceptance Model measuring participant perceived usefulness of and intention to use the new technology. Inductive coding of qualitative feedback resulted in the identification of central themes.ResultsFrom November 2019 to January 2020, 61 participants were enrolled. Most (98%) participants self-rated above neutral for all skills (mean 4.3; range 1.21–5.00). Regression modelling showed that the perceived ease of use of the VR and ability to produce demonstrable results as likely drivers of further use. Participants agreed that others would benefit from the training (97%), it was representative of actual response scenarios (72%) and they would use lessons learnt in the field (71%). Open-response feedback highlighted feeling being immersed in the training and its utility for public health responders.ConclusionsAt a time when a trained emergency public health workforce is a critical need, VR may be an option for addressing this gap. Participants’ impressions and feedback, in the setting of their high skill level and experience, highlighted the utility and benefit of using VR to deliver training. Further research is needed to determine skill acquisition through VR training among a pool of future responders with limited to no response experience.