JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Although battlefield first-aid training shares many common features with civilian training such as the need to address basic skills, teamwork and decision-making, it is more highly scenario-dependent. Researches into extended reality (XR) show clear benefits in medical training; however, the training effects of XR on non-technical skills (NTSs), including teamwork and decision-making in battlefield first aid, were not fully proved.

Objective:

The current study aimed to create and test a tactical scenario-based, mixed-reality platform suitable for training NTSs in battlefield first-aid.

Methods:

First, using next-generation modeling technology and an animation synchronization system, a 10-person offensive battle drill was established. Decision-making training software addressing basic principles of tactical combat casualty care was constructed and integrated into the tactical scenarios with Unreal Engine 4 (UE4). Large space teamwork and virtual interaction systems that made sense in the proposed platform training environment were developed. UE 4 and software engineering technology were used to combine modules to establish a mixed-reality battlefield first-aid training platform. A total of 20 Grade-4 medical students were recruited to accept first aid training with the constructed platform. Pre-training and post-training tests on 20 decision-making questions were used to evaluate the training effectiveness, and the students were asked to rate their agreement with a series of survey items on a 5-point Likert scale.

Results:

A battlefield geographic environment, tactical scenarios, scenario-based decision software, large space teamwork, and virtual interaction system modules were successfully developed and combined to establish the mixed-reality training platform for battlefield first aid. The post-training score of the students got on decision-making questions was17.35±1.35, significantly higher than that of pre-training (Student’s t-tests, t=-12.114, P≤0.001, the confidence interval was set at 95%). Post-training survey revealed that the students found the platform helpful in improving teamwork and decision-making for first aid, and they were confident in applying battlefield first-aid skills after training with the platform.

Conclusions:

A novel scenario-based, mixed-reality platform was constructed in this study, and it is suitable for training scenario-dependent decision-making and teamwork in battlefield first aid.