JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Effective peritoneal dialysis (PD) training is essential to perform dialysis at home and also reduces the risk of peritonitis and other PD-related infections. Virtual Reality (VR) is an innovative learning tool, able to combine theoretical information, interactivity and behavioral instructions, while offering a playful learning environment. To improve PD patient training, Fresenius Medical Care launched the stay•safe MyTraining VR, a novel PD educational program based on the use of a VR headset and a hand-held controller.

Objective:

The present qualitative assessment investigated opinions toward the new tool among the healthcare professionals (HCPs) who were responsible for implementing the VR application in their training.

Methods:

We recruited nursing staff and nephrologists who have gained practical experience with the stay•safe MyTraining VR within pilot dialysis centers. Predetermined open-ended questions were administered digitally within individual and group video interviews. We interviewed 7 HCPs having 2 to 20 year-experience in PD training. The number of patients trained with the stay•safe MyTraining VR ranged from 2 to 5 for each professional.

Results:

The stay•safe MyTraining VR was well-accepted and perceived as a valuable supplementary tool for PD training. From the respondents’ perspective, the technology improved patients’ learning experience, by facilitating the internalization of both medical information and procedural skills. HCPs believe that the opportunity offered by VR to repeat the training activities in a positive learning environment and according to each patient’s needs can facilitate error correction and training a standardized curriculum. VR integration has the potential to increase HCPs’ efficiency and productivity, since it enabled them to perform different activities while the patient was practicing with the device. In the view of the interviewees, the traditional PD training is needed to manage the emotional-motivational aspects related to PD training and to address any patient’s specific application-oriented questions. In addition, VR training was also seen as a useful tool to support decision making process of patients and to train other HCPs. VR had a limited use in the final phase of the PD patient training program, where learners need to get familiar with handling of the various materials and professionals’ check the quality of patient performance. Interviewees indicated that patients’ feedback to VR training was overall positive, including that of elderly people. A limited use with patients with dementia, severe visual impairment or lacking sensomotory competence was mentioned.

Conclusions:

The stay•safe MyTraining VR is suggested to improve training efficiency and efficacy and thus could have a positive impact in the PD training scenario. Our study offers a process proposal that can serve as a guide to implement VR-based PD training within dialysis centers. Dedicated research is needed to assess the operational benefits and the consequences on patient management.