Crossing the Power Line: Using Virtual Simulation to Prepare the First Responders of Utility Linemen

Alaina Herrington,Joseph Tacy

doi:10.3390/informatics7030026

Abstract

Virtual reality (VR) healthcare simulation has helped learners develop skills that are transferable to real-word conditions. Innovative strategies are needed to train workers to improve community safety. The purpose of this pilot project was to evaluate the use of a VR simulation applying the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL) Standards of Best Practice: SimulationSM Simulation Design with eight power line workers. Six power industry supervisors and educators assisted in facilitating three VR simulations with eight linemen participants. Kotter’s eight steps to leading change and the INACSL Standards of Best Practice: SimulationSM Simulation Design were utilized in working with energy leaders and VR developers to carry out this pilot project. Pre- and post-implementation surveys demonstrated a 28% improvement in participants’ learning outcomes. All three learning objectives were met. This project demonstrated the successful application of a translational framework and the INACSL Standards of Best Practice: SimulationSM in a VR context in the power industry. This process may be helpful to guide or inspire further adoption of VR in unconventional settings.

Highlights

There is overwhelming evidence that virtual reality (VR) healthcare simulation increases learning outcomes [1,2]
Kotter’s eight steps to leading change and the INACSL Standards of Best Practice: SimulationSM Simulation Design were utilized in working with energy leaders and VR developers to carry out this pilot project
This article will discuss how one simulation nurse educator utilized Kotter’s Change Theory and the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning INACSL Standards of Best Practice: SimulationSM Simulation Design [4] to share simulation best practices in the context of the power industry to improve skills acquisition for utility workers who work in the community

Summary

Introduction

There is overwhelming evidence that virtual reality (VR) healthcare simulation increases learning outcomes [1,2]. VR simulations have recently been at the forefront of helping to increase the number of healthcare providers prepared to fight the COVID 19 virus, making VR an invaluable asset in education [3]. Though healthcare educators had a plan B to provide much-needed just-in-time training—that of VR—other disciplines may not have been as prepared to train virtually. Utility linemen are often not considered as first responders, they have one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. These men and Informatics 2020, 7, 26; doi:10.3390/informatics7030026 www.mdpi.com/journal/informatics

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Discussion

Conclusion