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 35-90 minutes

• Using 3D glasses Without 3D glasses

• Minor ModerateSevere Minor ModerateSevere

• General discomfort 2 3 1 1

• Eyestrain 1 2 2 2• Difficulty focussing 1 1 3 2• Fatigue 1 1 1 1• Blurred vision 1 1• Headache 1 1 2• Difficulty concentrating 1 1• Dizzy (eyes open) 1• Vertigo 1• Nausea 1 1

Results Students (N = 14)

Average amount of time 25 minutes. Range 10 - 40 minutes

• Using 3D glasses Without 3D glasses

• Minor ModerateSevere Minor ModerateSevere

• 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

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

%age of students finding session of value

• 100%