Clinical trial NCT04937257: Virtual Reality on Efficacy of Donning and Doffing PPE
Official title: Comparison of a Virtual Reality Versus an E-Module on Efficacy of Donning and Doffing PPE: A Randomized Control Trial
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Medical Training
Keywords: Virtual reality
Lead sponsor: Montefiore Medical Center
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2021-06-24
Enrollment: 54
Sex: ALL
Standard ages: CHILD
ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: OTHER

Brief 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.

Detailed description: The COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) pandemic highlighted concerns regarding personal protective equipment (PPE) utilization in hospitals (10,11). When used correctly, PPE can prevent COVID-19 infection amongst exposed healthcare workers (12,13) . Evidence suggests that up to 90% of doffing procedures are performed incorrectly (14). This failure rate has been linked to healthcare workers being more likely to contract COVID-19 compared to the general community (15). As a result, authorities have turned to increased training as a potential solution (16).

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 82% of the time (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.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Associates affiliated with the Montefiore Medical Center.
* Medical Students at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

Exclusion Criteria:

* None.

Primary outcomes:
measure: Overall Donning and Doffing Performance
timeFrame: Immediately after the intervention
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Subgroup analysis
timeFrame: Immediately after the intervention
measure: Participant experience
timeFrame: Baseline, pre-intervention and immediately after the intervention
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Bronx
country: United States
facility: Montefiore Einstein Center for Innovation in Simulation
state: New York
Study officials:
affiliation: Albert Einstein College of Medicine
name: Farrukh Jafri, MD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
affiliation: Montefiore Medical Center
name: Marc Gibber, MD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
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