Virtual University hospital as an arena for medical training and health education

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to contribute to the virtual univer- sity initiative at NTNU with some initial recommendations for the early design and development of a virtual university hospital. The findings in this thesis are based on a preliminary study and two ex- ploratory studies using a virtual operating room (designed to recreate a real one at St. Olavs hospital) with both medical and non-medical participants. The goal of the studies has been to explore how to sup- port educational activities at a virtual university hospital. The first participant category was represented by surgical and anesthesia post graduate nursing students who conducted role play of realistic and relevant scenarios in the virtual operating room. The non-medical participants got a virtual guided tour around in the same operating room. Both participant groups provided suggestions for further devel- opment of the virtual hospital. We have also investigated the use of Oculus Rift, a 3D VR head mounted display, as a way of enhancing presence and immersion in the virtual hospital. The thesis highlights and discusses our most important findings that are as important to include in the development of a virtual university hospital, with sug- gestions of future work.