Using Mobile Virtual Reality Simulation to Prepare for In-Person Helping Babies Breathe Training: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial (the eHBB/mHBS Trial)

Abstract

Background Neonatal mortality accounts for approximately 46% of global under-5 child mortality. The widespread access to mobile devices in low- and middle-income countries has enabled innovations, such as mobile virtual reality (VR), to be leveraged in simulation education for health care workers. Objective This study explores the feasibility and educational efficacy of using mobile VR for the precourse preparation of health care professionals in neonatal resuscitation training. Methods Health care professionals in obstetrics and newborn care units at 20 secondary and tertiary health care facilities in Lagos, Nigeria, and Busia, Western Kenya, who had not received training in Helping Babies Breathe (HBB) within the past 1 year were randomized to access the electronic HBB VR simulation and digitized HBB Provider’s Guide (VR group) or the digitized HBB Provider’s Guide only (control group). A sample size of 91 participants per group was calculated based on the main study protocol that was previously published. Participants were directed to use the electronic HBB VR simulation and digitized HBB Provider’s Guide or the digitized HBB Provider’s Guide alone for a minimum of 20 minutes. HBB knowledge and skills assessments were then conducted, which were immediately followed by a standard, in-person HBB training course that was led by study staff and used standard HBB evaluation tools and the Neonatalie Live manikin (Laerdal Medical). Results A total of 179 nurses and midwives participated (VR group: n=91; control group: n=88). The overall performance scores on the knowledge check (P=.29), bag and mask ventilation skills check (P=.34), and Objective Structured Clinical Examination A checklist (P=.43) were similar between groups, with low overall pass rates (6/178, 3.4% of participants). During the Objective Structured Clinical Examination A test, participants in the VR group performed better on the critical step of positioning the head and clearing the airway (VR group: 77/90, 86%; control group: 57/88, 65%; P=.002). The median percentage of ventilations that were performed via head tilt, as recorded by the Neonatalie Live manikin, was also numerically higher in the VR group (75%, IQR 9%-98%) than in the control group (62%, IQR 13%-97%), though not statistically significantly different (P=.35). Participants in the control group performed better on the identifying a helper and reviewing the emergency plan step (VR group: 7/90, 8%; control group: 16/88, 18%; P=.045) and the washing hands step (VR group: 20/90, 22%; control group: 32/88, 36%; P=.048). Conclusions The use of digital interventions, such as mobile VR simulations, may be a viable approach to precourse preparation in neonatal resuscitation training for health care professionals in low- and middle-income countries.

Stakeholders' Perspectives on the “Helping Babies Breathe” Program Situation in Nepal Following the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Key issues and challenges were identified, including disruptions in training programs, online modalities, and blending learning to fill gaps in newborn care. 13,15 The study highlights the need for improved training and newborn care in Nepal.…”

Virtual Reality for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Healthcare Professionals Training: A Systematic Review

“…There were included 15 studies (Table 1 ) published between 2013 and 2023 and conducted in Europe [ 18 , 19 , 27 – 29 ], in North America [ 20 , 24 , 25 , 31 ], in Africa [ 32 , 33 ], in Asia [ 26 , 30 ], and in Central America [ 23 ]; one study did not report the country [ 22 ].…”

“…Six were primarily aiming to investigate the efficacy of VR CPR training [ 18 , 23 , 25 , 29 , 31 , 33 ], four its feasibility [ 22 , 28 , 29 , 32 ], three its utility [ 19 , 24 , 30 ], and two its usability [ 20 , 26 ]. To reach these aims, six were RCTs [ 22 , 25 , 27 , 29 , 31 , 33 ], six were cross-sectional studies [ 19 , 20 , 24 , 26 , 28 , 30 ] , and three quasi experimental [ 18 , 23 , 32 ] .…”

“…Basic CPR maneuvers were the target of eight studies [ 19 , 22 , 23 , 26 , 29 , 30 , 32 , 33 ], while the remaining considered advanced CPR maneuvers [ 18 , 20 , 24 , 25 , 27 , 28 , 31 ]. Moreover, five studies focused on the initial CPR training [ 20 , 22 , 25 , 27 , 32 ], two the retraining [ 24 , 33 ], while the remainder did not specify [ 18 , 19 , 23 , 26 , 28 – 31 ].…”

“…Basic CPR maneuvers were the target of eight studies [ 19 , 22 , 23 , 26 , 29 , 30 , 32 , 33 ], while the remaining considered advanced CPR maneuvers [ 18 , 20 , 24 , 25 , 27 , 28 , 31 ]. Moreover, five studies focused on the initial CPR training [ 20 , 22 , 25 , 27 , 32 ], two the retraining [ 24 , 33 ], while the remainder did not specify [ 18 , 19 , 23 , 26 , 28 – 31 ]. Studies were conducted mainly in hospitals [ 19 , 22 , 28 – 30 , 32 , 33 ], training centers [ 20 , 23 – 25 ], and universities [ 18 , 27 ]; two studies did not specify the setting [ 26 , 31 ].…”