DDA continues to revolutionize Philips training with a series of interactive eLearning tools.
Challenge
One of the responsibilities of the Cardio/Vascular division at Philips Healthcare is to educate medical professionals on new technologies to encourage them to adopt them within their clinical programs. Prior to Philips' relationship with DDA, this educational outreach would consist of regular peer-to-peer workshops with radiologists, medical technicians, and physicians. These traditional training methods were falling short, however, failing to truly engage participants and thereby expose them to the original features and numerous advantages that the XperCT and XperGuide systems had to offer. DDA needed to design and develop a totally new style of interactive training tool to help Philips Healthcare train physicians quickly and effectively on its cutting-edge medical equipment by generating interest through compelling, interactive experiences.
Objectives
Once again, DDA found the solution in its proprietary Virtual Medical Simulation (VMS) technology. Following the development of the EP Navigator, the XperGuide VMS would maintain a consistent virtual environment with the previously-developed VMS while maintaining the same step-by-step, procedural progression of the former simulation. The tool would feature an introduction with live integrated video of an on-screen actress to present the basic features of the XperCT and XperGuide, a passive simulation to demonstrate the uses and applications of this medical equipment, and an active simulation in which users could test their own operational skills in a risk-free virtual learning environment.
Solution
The XperGuide VMS integrated 3D models, still photography, animation, high-definition video, audio narration, and programming to present a futuristic lab environment in which users can learn and practice new skills in whatever way and at whatever speed best suits their own learning style. The introduction and passive simulation help guide the user through the initial instruction and can be either watched from start to finish or referenced later for a specific point of interest. The active simulation gives full control of the virtual equipment to the user, allowing them to perform the procedure independently and master the skills involved through practice. Now medical professionals will be able to train in a life-like environment from their home or office, and with the mobile applications DDA developed to supplement the online tool, they'll even be able to train on the go. Those that finish their training on the Virtual Medical Simulation are presented with a dated, personalized certificate of completion. DDA also developed an administrative back-end for the interactive eLearning tool that stores user registration information, helping Philips track usage of and navigation in the XperGuide VMS.
Results
During a workshop that included physicians from the U.K., Germany, Turkey, Slovenia, and Holland, Philips piloted the XperGuide Virtual Medical Simulation. Philips Healthcare's program managers were most interested in whether or not physicians would take all the time allotted to them to use the tool, or whether they would speed through it as quickly as possible before turning towards other distractions. Philips was happy to find that physicians used the entire 45 minutes set aside to use the new interactive eLearning tool. Indeed, some were so engrossed in the Virtual Medical Simulation that they had to be instructed to stop so that they could move on to the next activity. Others had even come back during their break to log on even more time into the immersive, interactive experience of the XperGuide VMS.
With DDA's Virtual Medical Simulation technology, Philips Healthcare has revolutionized their training methods, reducing its training costs while helping to secure a higher level of understanding and mastery that is sure to benefit patients, healthcare providers, hospitals, and Philips itself.
