A new simulation tool developed by researchers at Hokkaido University is helping nursing students learn how to perform essential procedures like ventilator management and tracheal suctioning through immersive simulations with real-time feedback.
Specifically designed for pediatric care, the tool was designed to train nurses to perform these high-stake procedures in children.
Demand for pediatric medal care has surged in Japan, with the number of children requiring advanced interventions doubling in just ten years. A lot of these young patients depend on ventilators or need respiratory care. As a result, there is an urgent need for nurses to be properly prepared and trained for these procedures.
This is what the researchers were addressing: a better way for nurses to be prepared. Their research, published in the Journal of Nursing Care & Reports, presents a novel tool dubbed the “Simmar+ESTE-SIM simulator.”
How does the simulator work?
The Simmar+ESTE-SIM simulator creates realistic training scenarios. It combines physical tools with dynamic projection mapping, which projects real-time visual cues such as a patient’s facial expressions, skin color changes, and respiratory patterns onto a mannequin. Virtual reality simulates a ventilator’s digital control panel on a screen, letting students interact with it as they would in a real-world setting.
It’s a very hands-on learning approach that leverages interactive training with XR technologies (this includes virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality).
The research also uncovered an important insight: timing matters. While third-year nursing students often found the simulator overwhelming, fourth-year students were better able to tackle the challenges. Faculty noted that the tool struck the right difficulty balance for more advanced learners, allowing them to grow their confidence and skills effectively.
Expert voices
In a press release from Hokkaido University, Assistant Professor Noriyo Colley, principal investigator of the ESTE-SIM project, explained:
“Our simulator helps nursing students practice important skills in a safe and controlled environment. It uses immersive technology and realistic scenarios, so students get hands-on experience without the risks that come with caring for real patients.”
Colley elaborated on XR technologies:
“The term XR is an abbreviation of cross reality, which encompasses a group of emerging information technologies that combine the physical world with a digital world to create an immersive experience to some degree.”
“For instance, XR includes virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR), which provides a multisensory experience,” she added.
Professor Shinji Ninomiya of Hiroshima International University emphasized the value of instant feedback:
“Students can work on procedures like endotracheal suctioning and get immediate feedback on how they’re doing, which really boosts their learning and confidence. This kind of practice is especially important in nursing because having the right skills is essential for providing effective care to patients.”
Reference:
Colley N., et.al, (2024). Learning Effects of Mechanical Ventilator/Tracheal Suctioning XR Simulators and Extracting Decision Making Criteria to Introduce a Novel Simulator. J Nurs Care Repo; 5(2):1-8.