NLM intern uses a virtual reality helmet for an immersion experience in a simulated Emergency Operations Center. August, 2015.

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mple scientific evidence suggests that video games may enhance learning. The National Library of Medicine (NLM) is conducting research on some ways to exploit this learning to aid in the preparedness of disaster/emergency managers, medical emergency teams, and public health professionals in local and government medical facilities.

NLM tests the applications with an emphasis on the training of professionals at the Incident Command System and the management of patients with highly infectious/highly morbid diseases (Ebola), in order to assess their abilities and performance in real situations.

During an exercise, participants can interact with each other through voice or text and visualize and interact with the equipment and information tools representing disaster assets in real life.

The simulation also provides access to the enhanced tools that simplify “situational awareness”, due to which students can “compress time” during the exercise and focus on the skills they need to develop. That is why virtual reality equipment (head mounted screen plus a controller set) offers better immersion and realism during the simulation.

Although this type of training has advantages in relation to regular instruction in cost/benefit terms, high interactivity, remote connection or the possibility to assess participants in a more objective way, it still has limitations in the design of exercises or the advanced technical knowledge that may be required.
Nevertheless, this technology may be applied to other training objectives, for example, keeping health facilities safe in case of disasters or public opinion training to improve preparedness against potentially infectious diseases such as Zika. More information at: https://dimrc.nlm.nih.gov/dimrccontact.html.