Feasibility of a Difficulty and Fidelity Recommendation System in a VR-Based ECMO Training Simulator

Abstract

This study introduces a self-developed dynamic VR simulator of ICU scenarios for medical trainees at different levels of instruction. The dynamic simulator incorporates a hand-tracking system, a performance logger, and different difficulty choices. It receives trainees’ controls and responds to them real time. The study includes two parts: validation of the VR simulator and investigation into the influence of a difficulty system in VR training. Through a randomized controlled trial with current medical trainees from medical universities in the Netherlands, the study demonstrates that the VR group spends significantly less time in the real test. While the group of easy difficulty performs better in the training and reports to learn faster in the follow-up questionnaire, there are no significant difference between the two groups in the real test. There is no single difficulty level that is optimal for trainees of all backgrounds.