O018 A virtual reality training platform for surgeons, anaesthetists, and obstetricians in low and middle-income countries

Introduction

Many surgeons, anaesthetists, and obstetricians in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) lack access to training opportunities. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of VR procedural training at scale for these specialties.

Methods

An online, free to participant, single-day event programme was designed to cover operative anatomy and procedural steps for Bellwether procedures including Laparotomy and Caesarean section, use of a novel gasless laparoscopic surgery device, administration of spinal anaesthetic and basic trauma principles. Demonstration was performed using fresh frozen cadavers and virtual presentations. Faculty comprised of an equal split between UK and LMIC surgeons from a range of countries virtually connected. The 4K live 360°VR broadcast was achieved via vMix virtual video switcher. vMix Call remote broadcast contributor links and additional angles via NDI IP system.

Results

A total of 236 unique live views were generated. Participants were from 43 countries (n=17 high income countries: n=26 LMICs). In addition, fifty cardboard headsets were transported to two sites for dissemination to local trainees and students: Nairobi, Kenya, and Delhi, India. The mean per-user engagement time for the group was 132 minutes. Nine LMICs had an average per country user engagement of >140 minutes.

Conclusion

It is feasible to live stream surgical training videos in VR and achieve significant user engagement for participants from LMICs. This technology allowed resources and faculty in a HIC setting to collaborate in real-time with faculty input from LMIC via virtual reality, facilitating multi-directional learning.

Take-home message

Live virtual reality surgical training courses are feasible and can provide scalable learning environments, achieving significant engagement from surgeons, obstetricians and anaesthetists across the world, including several low and middle-income countries.