SPECTRa: An Online Tool for Simulating Prehospital Patient Care

Abstract

Objectives: To (1) develop a simulation software environment to conduct prehospital research during the COVID-19 pandemic on paramedics’ teamwork and use of mobile computing devices, and (2) establish its feasibility for use as a research and training tool. Background: Simulation-based research and training for prehospital environments has typically used live simulation, with highly realistic equipment and technology-enhanced manikins. However, such simulations are expensive, difficult to replicate, and require facilitators and participants to be at the same location. Although virtual simulation tools exist for prehospital care, it is unclear how best to use them for research and training. Methods: We present SPECTRa—Simulated Prehospital Emergency Care for Team Research—an online simulated prehospital environment that lets participants care concurrently for single or multiple patients remotely. Patient scenarios are designed using Laerdal’s SimDesigner. SPECTRa records data about scenario states and participants’ virtual interaction with the simulated patients. SPECTRa’s supporting environment records participants’ verbal communication and their visual and physical interactions with their interface and devices using Zoom conferencing and audiovisual recording. We discuss a pilot research implementation to assess SPECTRa’s feasibility. Results: SPECTRa allows researchers to systematically test small-team interaction in single- or multipatient care scenarios and assess the impact of mobile devices on participants’ assessment and care of patients. SPECTRa also supports pedagogical features that could allow prehospital educators to provide individual trainees or teams with online simulation training and evaluation. Conclusions: SPECTRa, an online tool for simulating prehospital patient care, shows potential for remote healthcare research and training.

Emergency medical service interventions and experiences during pandemics: A scoping review

“…Finally, one study [ 39 ] showed that a simulation software environment (SPECTRa) provided a feasible alternative approach to live prehospital simulation and showed potential for remote healthcare research and training during the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

Clinical Research in Prehospital Care: Current and Future Challenges

“…Besides that, there are also other connected technologies that allow for improved data collection and information distribution (movement tracking devices, video and audio recording, running simulations, IT infrastructure, etc.) [101][102][103][104][105][106][107][108][109][110].…”