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

Radiotherapy

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

Immersive VERT

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

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.

Results Staff (N = 5) Average amount of time 70 minutes. Range minutes Using 3D glassesWithout 3D glasses MinorModerateSevereMinorModerateSevere General discomfort2311 Eyestrain1222 Difficulty focussing1132 Fatigue1111 Blurred vision11 Headache112 Difficulty concentrating11 Dizzy (eyes open)1 Vertigo1 Nausea11

Results Students (N = 14) Average amount of time 25 minutes. Range minutes Using 3D glassesWithout 3D glasses MinorModerateSevereMinorModerateSevere General discomfort513 Eyestrain72821 Difficulty focussing72134 Fatigue23 Blurred vision41123 Headache6181 Difficulty concentrating41134 Dizzy (eyes open)33131 Vertigo124 Nausea3112 Sweating111 Fullness of head212 Stomach awareness11

CU students v journal article CUJournal Eyestrain63%49% Difficulty focussing63%41% Headache47%41% General discomfort58%35% Fatigue26%33% CU n = 19Journal n = 75

%age of students finding session of value 100%