Virtual Environment Radiotherapy Training

1. Virtual Environment Radiotherapy Training Erica White, Department of Radiography, SOHCS

2. Radiotherapy

3. Virtual Environment Radiotherapy Training • VERT software • 3D projection system • Glasses • Series of hand pendants • DICOM-RT compatible so radiotherapy treatment plans can be loaded • Anonymised patient data • Student treatment plans

4. Immersive VERT

6. Advantages of VERT • Visual illustration of radiotherapy concepts • Hands on experience for students to rehearse • Psychomotor skills improved in a safe environment • Anatomy and radiotherapy beam placement visualised

11. Simulation sickness • Flinton D.M. & White N. (2009) Preliminary findings on the Virtual Environment for Radiotherapy Training (VERT) system: simulation sickness and presence. Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice 8, 169 – 176. • Preliminary survey CU. Staff and students.

12. Results Staff (N = 5)Average amount of time 70 minutes. Range 35-90 minutes • Using 3D glasses Without 3D glasses • Minor Moderate Severe Minor Moderate Severe • General discomfort 2 3 1 1 • Eyestrain 1 2 2 2 • Difficulty focussing 11 3 2 • Fatigue 11 1 1 • Blurred vision 1 1 • Headache 1 1 2 • Difficulty concentrating 1 1 • Dizzy (eyes open) 1 • Vertigo 1 • Nausea 1 1

13. Results Students (N = 14)Average amount of time 25 minutes. Range 10 - 40 minutes • Using 3D glasses Without 3D glasses • Minor Moderate Severe Minor Moderate Severe • General discomfort 5 1 3 • Eyestrain 7 2 8 2 1 • Difficulty focussing 7 2 1 3 4 • Fatigue 2 3 • Blurred vision 4 1 1 2 3 • Headache 6 1 8 1 • Difficulty concentrating 4 1 1 3 4 • Dizzy (eyes open) 3 3 1 3 1 • Vertigo 1 2 4 • Nausea 3 1 1 2 • Sweating 1 1 1 • Fullness of head 2 1 2 • Stomach awareness 1 1

14. CU students v journal article • CU Journal • Eyestrain 63% 49% • Difficulty focussing 63% 41% • Headache 47% 41% • General discomfort 58% 35% • Fatigue 26% 33% • CU n = 19 Journal n = 75

15. %age of students finding session of value • 100%