Disaster Education in Hospitals using Metaverse: Focusing on COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction:

During the COVID-19 pandemic, it became difficult to conduct face-to-face training and practice for disaster medial education. As an alternative to this, it was proposed to build a metaverse world using virtual and augmented reality(XR) technology and implement disaster training education within it. Therefore, the authors investigated the process and effects.

Method:

The authors conducted training of healthcare workers through software implementing a metaverse called MediBase and NurseBase, which was created for doctors and nurses in hospitals to respond to disasters such as COVID-19. The trainees were given a practical orientation after basic theoretical education, attached a VR headset, and performed a medical response to a virtual disaster according to their judgment, and the records and debriefing were organized and analyzed.

Results:

The satisfaction of trainees with education reached a maximum of 88%. Even in the part where the correct choice was made in the theoretical evaluation, the time was delayed or the wrong choice or behavior appeared in the metaverse practical education and training.

Conclusion:

In disaster situations that cannot be implemented identically to reality and most disaster education and training that cannot target actual patients, metaverse-based disaster medical education and training is expected to become a more effective alternative in the future.