Using Simulations for Practical Training Experiences

For years, “leadership training” in healthcare meant stacking certifications and protocols. I believed it, too, until I watched highly trained clinicians hesitate in high-pressure moments. Not for lack of knowledge, but because they’d never practiced the pressure. Leadership doesn’t show up in theory. It shows up in motion, when you’re tired, the call isn’t clear, and you have to decide and own it. That’s why scenario-based simulation matters. Not once a semester in a lab, but brief, daily reps that build judgment into muscle memory. With VRpatients, leaders-in-training run high-stakes cases asynchronously: assess the whole patient (subjective + objective), choose the next action, and see the response in real time, then repeat, reflect, and refine until the right move is automatic. Educators assign once, coach 1:1 with analytics, and scale across units, on laptops today, headsets when you’re ready. If you’re shaping the next generation of healthcare leaders, rethink the model. Leadership isn’t a lecture, it’s reps under pressure. Train for the reality you expect them to lead. #ClinicalEducation #HealthcareTraining #LeadershipInHealthcare #SimulationMatters #VRinHealthcare #WorkforceDevelopment

If we’re only training students to follow checklists and memorize procedures, we’re failing to prepare them for the actual demands of clinical care. Real-world healthcare doesn’t happen in perfect steps. It unfolds through uncertainty, judgment calls, missed cues, and split-second decisions. That kind of thinking can’t be taught through slides. It has to be lived through mistakes—early, safely, and often. We need to give learners the opportunity to struggle in simulations where lives aren't at stake. Let them mess up. Let them come into class and say, “I almost killed that patient four times.” That moment of vulnerability is gold. It tells us they’re finally moving past surface-level confidence and into real clinical thinking. It means they’re starting to ask, not just how to draw a syringe, but why they’re doing it in the first place. What symptoms led them there? Did they listen to the patient or just follow a protocol? Did they ask the right questions or ignore the clues? Here’s what today’s healthcare training must start doing: ➡︎ Create learning spaces where failure is encouraged, not punished ➡︎ Teach students to make decisions based on context, not just checklists ➡︎ Replace routine questions with scenario-based inquiry and clinical reasoning ➡︎ Guide students to explore the "why" behind every action they take ➡︎ Focus on communication and judgment, not just tools and technique Because here’s the truth: every hospital has different tools, different pumps, different setups. What doesn’t change is the clinician’s ability to think, adapt, and communicate clearly. If we want to build a healthcare workforce that performs under pressure, we have to design education that prioritizes thought over task and curiosity over compliance. That starts with allowing failure in the classroom, so students can learn how to truly care for patients in the field. VRpatients #PhysioLogicAI #nursing #nurse #simulation #VR #MR #XR #AI #Workforce #WorkforceDevelopment #WorkforceReady #AlliedHealth

𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗩𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 (𝗩𝗥) 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 🎓 Feeling like your traditional e-learning modules are falling flat? We’ve all been there—staring at static slides or reading endless text that fails to capture our attention. This lack of engagement can seriously undermine the effectiveness of your training programs, leaving employees underprepared and your organization lagging behind. Here’s a game-changing solution: Integrate Virtual Reality (VR) into your Learning and Development (L&D) programs. Trust me, it’s not just about high-tech gimmicks—it’s about creating immersive, hands-on learning environments that make skills and knowledge stick. Here’s how you can transform your training with VR: 🎓 Create Realistic Scenarios: Use VR to simulate real-world situations that employees may face in their roles. This hands-on practice is invaluable for deep learning and skill retention. Imagine training a pilot or a surgeon—VR provides a risk-free environment to hone critical skills. 🎓 Boost Engagement and Retention: VR’s immersive nature captures learners’ attention like nothing else. Studies show that immersive learning significantly enhances information retention, ensuring that employees are not just learning but mastering the content. 🎓 Personalized Learning Paths: VR can adapt to individual learning styles and paces, offering a customized experience for each employee. This tailored approach helps address specific weaknesses and reinforces strengths, maximizing the impact of your training programs. 🎓 Safe and Controlled Environment: VR offers a safe space for employees to make mistakes and learn from them without real-world consequences. This is particularly beneficial for high-stakes industries like healthcare, aviation, and manufacturing. 🎓 Cost-Effective in the Long Run: While initial setup costs for VR may be high, the long-term benefits far outweigh the investment. With VR, you can provide consistent training experiences across different locations, reducing travel and operational costs. 🎓 Gamification Elements: Integrate gamified elements like points, badges, and leaderboards to make learning fun and competitive. This not only boosts engagement but also fosters a culture of continuous learning and improvement. By leveraging VR in your L&D programs, you can ensure that your employees are not only engaged but truly absorbing and retaining critical skills and knowledge. This investment in immersive learning will pay off in a more competent, confident, and competitive workforce. Got any innovative ideas for integrating VR into training? Share your thoughts below! ⬇️ #VirtualReality #ImmersiveLearning #TrainingInnovation #L&D #EdTech #FutureOfWork #SkillDevelopment #EmployeeEngagement

Another excellent paper at #JMXR! Journal of Medical Extended Reality The aim here is to summarize the results from a #virtualreality #VR telesimulation program in response to mandatory #covid-19 social distancing during the pandemic. The target audience was a group of physicians naïve to VR. This article explores the development and implementation of VR simulation in #medical training. Leveraging the Acadicus VR platform, a VR simulation solution was created, enabling interactive scenarios simulating pediatric critical care situations. Thirty-one diverse scenarios were designed and executed over an 8-month period, involving pediatric and emergency medicine residents and fellows. The development process involved creating lifelike mannequins and dynamic cardiac waveforms, enhancing realism and spontaneity. Using VR headsets and streaming technology, participants engaged in immersive scenarios remotely. Performance evaluation used a modified version of the Tool for Resuscitation Assessment Using Computer Simulation, revealing comparable outcomes across different training levels and specialties. Participant feedback underscored the immersive nature of VR simulation, offering enhanced realism and in-depth debriefing opportunities compared with traditional mannequin-based simulation. However, limitations such as the lack of haptic feedback and the need for better integration with existing simulation center infrastructure were noted. Cost-effectiveness emerged as a significant advantage of VR simulation, with lower upfront costs compared with traditional simulation centers. VR simulation also demonstrated versatility in staging training across various hospital settings, offering a more comprehensive learning experience. Excellent work and exciting times! #AMXRA American Medical Extended Reality Association (AMXRA) #IVRHA IVRHA (International Virtual Reality and Healthcare Association)