Acceptability and Utility of a Virtual Reality Diabetes-Related Foot Disease Training Program for First Nations People: A Pragmatic Quasi-Experimental Case Series Study.

OBJECTIVE

To test the utility and acceptability of a novel VR training tool for community health practitioners in assessing diabetes-related foot disease in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

METHODS

The VR program featured five virtual patient models and a range of interactive assessments covering essential clinical and triage skills.

DESIGN

Pragmatic quasi-experimental case series.

SETTING

The VR training program was completed in collaboration with three Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Organisations in regional South Australia, with recruitment directed internally at each organisation.

PARTICIPANTS

Forty-one primary healthcare staff participated, of which 34 were matched on pre- and post-VR surveys and 20 completed at least three training scenarios.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Evaluation consisted of pre-test self-efficacy scores immediately prior to participants undergoing training, submission of post-test self-efficacy scores, the System Usability Scale, and Training Evaluation Inventory scores after completing all training modules.

RESULTS

Following completion of VR training, participants reported increased self-efficacy scores (n = 20) for performing key assessment and triage skills. User feedback (n = 39) demonstrated that participants generally agreed that the training user experience was engaging, acceptable, and of value for clinical education.

CONCLUSION

Community health practitioners generally found the VR training tool acceptable, useful, and increased their self-confidence in assessing and managing diabetes-related foot disease for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, highlighting the potential of VR to upskill community practitioners.