Design of a Serious Game for Handling Obstetrical Emergencies

Abstract

BackgroundThe emergence of new technologies in the obstetrical field should lead to the development of learning applications, specifically for obstetrical emergencies. Many childbirth simulations have been recently developed. However, to date none of them have been integrated into a serious game.ObjectiveOur objective was to design a new type of immersive serious game, using virtual glasses to facilitate the learning of pregnancy and childbirth pathologies. We have elaborated a new game engine, placing the student in some maternity emergency situations and delivery room simulations.MethodsA gynecologist initially wrote a scenario based on a real clinical situation. He also designed, along with an educational engineer, a tree diagram, which served as a guide for dialogues and actions. A game engine, especially developed for this case, enabled us to connect actions to the graphic universe (fully 3D modeled and based on photographic references). We used the Oculus Rift in order to immerse the player in virtual reality. Each action in the game was linked to a certain number of score points, which could either be positive or negative.ResultsDifferent pathological pregnancy situations have been targeted and are as follows: care of spontaneous miscarriage, threat of preterm birth, forceps operative delivery for fetal abnormal heart rate, and reduction of a shoulder dystocia. The first phase immerses the learner into an action scene, as a doctor. The second phase ask the student to make a diagnosis. Once the diagnosis is made, different treatments are suggested.ConclusionsOur serious game offers a new perspective for obstetrical emergency management trainings and provides students with active learning by immersing them into an environment, which recreates all or part of the real obstetrical world of emergency. It is consistent with the latest recommendations, which clarify the importance of simulation in teaching and in ongoing professional development.

Comparing the Effects on Learning Outcomes of Tablet-Based and Virtual Reality–Based Serious Gaming Modules for Basic Life Support Training: Randomized Trial

“…In another study, it was mentioned that the use of these technologies has upgraded the adequacy of medical education and training and raised the level of diagnosis and treatment [24]. Another study reveals that VR-based Advanced Cardiac Life Support training can provide a learning experience similar to face-to-face training [14].…”

The Past, Present, and Future of Virtual Reality in Pharmacy Education

“…46 Previous research into VR as a medium for health education primarily focused on surgical simulation and anatomical visualization. [51][52][53][54] Gautier and colleagues designed a game using the Oculus Rift to simulate obstetrical emergencies. 51 Although not yet tested with students, the obstetrical emergencies game was intended to teach common gynecological pathologies through various virtual scenarios.…”

“…[51][52][53][54] Gautier and colleagues designed a game using the Oculus Rift to simulate obstetrical emergencies. 51 Although not yet tested with students, the obstetrical emergencies game was intended to teach common gynecological pathologies through various virtual scenarios. Moro and colleagues found that in addition to VR and AR being as effective as tablet-based technology (ie, the use of iPads or Android tablets) for teaching anatomy, they also increased student engagement, interactivity, and enjoyment.…”

Comparison of Oculus Rift and HTC Vive: Feasibility for Virtual Reality-Based Exploration, Navigation, Exergaming, and Rehabilitation

“…8 Concurrent with the renewed interest in VR, 9 an increasing number of systems have been presented in the past years. [10][11][12][13] As described by the manufacturers, these new devices provide improved features, such as higher resolution, faster refresh rate, and wider field of view, at dramatically lower costs than early systems. In addition, new HMDs include built-in tracking mechanisms to estimate the position and orientation of the head in real time, which enables perspective correction and allows users to freely move, at least to some extent, as in the real world in a room-size environment.…”