OBJECTIVES: The correct use of medical devices in real-world practice is paramount to both obtaining the clinical effectiveness demonstrated in studies and ensuring patient safety. As such, training on medical devices is a critical aspect of healthcare provision. Providing such training relies on qualified staff and is time-consuming. Here we present a narrative review of virtual reality (VR) for training healthcare professionals and initial outcomes of proof-of-concept study investigating the use of VR training for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

METHODS: Literature review in PubMed for articles published between January 2015 and June 2023. A German cardiac center provided the environment for proof-of-concept study. After photographing the ECMO room and equipment, the location was recreated in VR. Each element of the ECMO machine was individually modeled to allow for training actions to be applied to the element. Training actions included identifying, moving, placing, or adjusting settings on the element. Interviews with healthcare staff were undertaken to assess the impact and usefulness of VR training.

RESULTS: In total, 149 articles were assessed in the narrative review. Generally, VR was found to be “effective”, “motivating” and “engaging” for training. It cannot help in all training aspects and cannot replace all face-to-face and hands-on training. As an example, in one study cardiopulmonary resuscitation was well recalled but depth of compression was insufficient in the VR-only group. VR can help improve recall and familiarity with medical technology.

Feedback on the VR ECMO training was positive from both the clinical and education teams. Educators reported that training time for ECMO was reduced by 25%, from four days to three days. The clinical team noted fewer errors in the ECMO set-up after VR-training roll out.

CONCLUSIONS: Moving medical device training to a VR environment is possible and may reduce, but not eliminate, hands-on training time.