JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Neonatal mortality accounts for approximately 46% of global under 5-years child mortality. The widespread access to mobile devices in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) has enabled innovations such as mobile virtual reality (VR) to be leveraged in simulation education for healthcare workers.

Objective:

This study explores the feasibility and educational efficacy of mobile VR for pre-course preparation of healthcare workers in neonatal resuscitation training.

Methods:

: Healthcare workers in obstetrics and newborn care units at 20 secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities in Lagos, Nigeria and Busia, Western Kenya who had not received training in Helping Babies Breathe (HBB) in the past one year were randomized to access the eHBB VR simulation + digitized HBB 2nd Edition Provider’s Guide (VR group) or digitized HBB 2nd Edition Provider’s Guide only (Control group). Participants were directed to use the eHBB VR or digitized HBB Provider’s Guide for a minimum of 20 minutes. HBB knowledge and skills assessments were then conducted, immediately prior to a standard in-person HBB training course by study staff using standard HBB evaluation tools and the Neonatalie Live manikin [Laerdal Medical®].

Results:

A total of 179 nurses and midwives participated. Performance on the knowledge check, BMV skills check, and OSCE A checklist was similar between groups with low overall pass rates. During the BMV skills check, participants in the VR group performed better on the critical step of positioning the head and clearing the airway (86% VR vs. 65% Control, p<0.05). The median percentage of ventilations performed with head tilt recorded by the Neonatalie Live manikin was also higher in the VR compared to Control (74.6% VR vs. 61.5% Control). Participants in the Control group performed better on identifying a helper and reviewing the emergency plan (8% VR vs. 18% Control, p<0.05) and washes hands (22% VR vs. 36% Control, p<0.05).

Conclusions:

Pre-course preparation with digital interventions such as mobile VR simulations may complement in-person training in neonatal resuscitation for healthcare workers in LMICs.