Healthtech

After each case, the users can reflect on the observations individually or discuss them in a group setting for collective learning.

A well-known problem within mental healthcare training is the need for sufficient and adequate training for staff dealing with patients in acute situations. Practicing on patients in vulnerable conditions is risky and puts both patients and staff in challenging situations. In2021, 

 received a 7.9 million NOK grant from 

, which they invested in an innovation partnership with 

 and EGGS Design to explore simulation-based training solutions to solve the challenge.

A lack of adequate training opportunities 

To make the training realistic, simulations are built with voice control, forcing the users to say the right things with the appropriate tone of voice to the ‘patient' to get the desired result.

Developing a tool for a complex challenge like training healthcare staff requires extensive user involvement and alignment with stakeholders to get it right. We have collaborated closely with medical experts such as psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and other healthcare staff, as well as students and university teachers, to bring user insights and test the VR solution continuously.

Involvement of user groups and stakeholders

A pilot has been conducted in three different clinics, where insight into the practical usage of the tool was gathered. The next step is to explore what institutions would like to invest in the solution to create additional content and build up a library of different scenarios to help healthcare professionals train for all kinds of difficult situations.

In the process, EGGS has contributed with service design, stakeholder facilitation, and user insight work to ensure the right focus and direction for the pilot and alignment between stakeholders. The result, a VR (Virtual Reality) simulator enables healthcare staff and students to practice meeting patients in vulnerable mental states without consequences from potential mistakes. Moreover, it allows staff to practice and become more aligned in the words they use. This will help patients to get the correct treatment and make it easier for patients to be treated by different staff members.

Alignment, user-centricity, and improved treatment

The VR pilot offers a game section where the user practices existing scenarios of meeting patients – for example, meeting 19-year-old Emma, who is, among other things, experiencing a conflict with her father. Emma's case can be seen in the video above. (Video credits: Attensi)

Simulation training for mental health professionals