Remote hospitals using virtual reality to train staff
In remote hospitals, it can be hard for nurses to take time out of their day to learn new skills. In north west Queensland, virtual reality technology usually associated with video gaming is making that process easier.
Transcript
00:00 So what you want to do is put it on.
00:03 The new reality of health care.
00:06 This nurse is being trained in how to treat mothers going into labour a little differently.
00:12 I can pick a stethoscope up and put it in my ears and actually listen to heart sounds
00:16 and I can listen to lung sounds.
00:18 I can dress a patient, undress a patient, put ECG dots on, things like that.
00:22 Outside of Mount Isa, the Northwest Hospital and Health Service doesn't have midwives posted
00:27 at its facilities.
00:28 Next, use your index fingers to squeeze the triggers on your controllers.
00:33 These virtual reality headsets are being used to fill the skills gap for remote nurses.
00:39 Because you can't get away that often, so just having that opportunity to be upskilled
00:43 all the time is going to be really good for patient safety and care.
00:47 The Northwest region is being impacted by chronic staff shortages.
00:53 High salaries are no longer enough to attract employees to the bush.
00:58 The Health Service hopes using technology like virtual reality will combat isolation
01:04 and create safer birthing services.
01:07 Everywhere we've been, the reaction has been amazing.
01:10 More VR health care courses are in the works, with plans for them to be delivered across
01:15 the region.
01:16 So then the educational requirements are really critical to make sure that these nurses are
01:20 engaged and supported, because we have to promote staff retention.
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