Virtual Reality on Efficacy of Donning and Doffing PPE

Summary

All front-line healthcare workers in the United States must receive PPE training but there is no gold standard for doing so(1). Training methods vary, with the conventional approaches being in-person or video presentations (2). In-person, hands-on training tends to be preferred, however staff shortages limit feasibility and contamination still occurs (2-4). Online modules and videos are also commonly utilized but pose problems including lack of student engagement, reduced accountability, and the limitations of teaching hands-on skills online (5,6). Nonetheless, immersive methods with active involvement and feedback have proven superior, but PPE shortages and social distancing guidelines limit their use (2).

Virtual reality (VR) is a potential alternative, offering similar benefits to in-person training, such as immersion and feedback, while minimizing barriers related to timing, social distancing, and equipment shortages(7). Importantly, VR allows for repetitive practice while preserving PPE for clinical interactions. These qualities make VR a viable alternative, although its impact on donning and doffing quality is unknown. Studies regarding PPE training have found in-person and video methods to be comparable and computer simulations to effectively complement in-person training (5, 8, 9). However, to our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the use of VR in PPE training.

The investigators proposed a randomized, blinded intervention-control trial comparing VR versus e-module training in the teaching of donning and doffing PPE in associates and students affiliated with the Montefiore Medical Center.

Conditions

• Medical Training

Interventions

OTHER

Virtual Reality

The training included the following in the specified order: (1) A tutorial with an introduction to the program and a overview of the correct donning and doffing sequence, based on Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines, (2) a training mode to practice the correct sequences with step-wise feedback, and (3) a testing mode that repeated until the sequence was completed perfectly without any mistakes. A study member was present to assist with the device and record the duration of training.

OTHER

E-module

The instructional video included step-by-step instruction and demonstration of adequate donning and doffing procedures. The 14-slide presentation contained the same content as used by the home institution for competency training, based on Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines. Participants were instructed to review the material however they liked and their duration of training was recorded.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Montefiore Medical Center

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Farrukh Jafri, MD · Albert Einstein College of Medicine

• Marc Gibber, MD · Montefiore Medical Center

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2020-11-16

Primary Completion

2021-01-27

Completion

2021-01-27

Countries

• United States

Study Locations