Virtual Program Research Articles

Tools for Capturing Outcomes in Virtual Educational Programs

During the COVID-19 pandemic, organizations increased virtual programming and adoption of online technologies. This article outlines the [University redacted] assessment of tools for gathering data on participant learning outcomes from virtual educational programs. After assessing colleagues’ experiences and searching for new web applications, a central repository was created. [University redacted] team will use this information to assist extension professionals in collecting program planning and evaluation data. We believe that these tools can help other extension programs nationally and globally with similar efforts, as more virtual programming is likely to increase in the future.

Virtually Supervised Exercise Programs for People With Cancer: A Scoping Review.

Exercise has been shown to improve physical function and quality of life for individuals with cancer. However, low rates of exercise adoption and commonly reported barriers to accessing exercise programming have demonstrated a need for virtual exercise programming in lieu of traditional in-person formats. The aim of this study was to summarize the existing research on supervised exercise interventions delivered virtually for individuals living with and beyond cancer. We conducted a scoping review of randomized controlled trials, pilot studies, or feasibility studies investigating virtually supervised exercise interventions for adults either during or after treatment of cancer. The search included EMBASE, MEDLINE, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, Cochrane Library, and conference abstracts. Fifteen studies were included. The interventions were delivered mostly over Zoom in a group format, with various combinations of aerobic and resistance exercises. Attendance ranged from 78% to 100%, attrition ranged from 0% to 29%, and satisfaction ranged from 94% to 100%. No major adverse events were reported, and only 3 studies reported minor adverse events. Significant improvements were seen in upper and lower body strength, endurance, pain, fatigue, and emotional well-being. Supervised exercise interventions delivered virtually are feasible and may improve physical function for individuals with cancer. The supervision included in these virtual programs promoted similar safety as seen with in-person programming. More randomized controlled trials with large cohorts are needed to validate these findings. Individuals living with and beyond cancer can be encouraged to join virtually supervised exercise programs because they are safe, well enjoyed, and may improve physical function and quality of life.

NOTION OF TREND "PHYGITAL" IN CULTURE

In today’s rapidly changing world, new trends, technologies and no-tions, combining various aspects of the digital age, are actualized. In the cul-tural environment, an actual phenomenon is the phygital world «thrown» into everyday life as a marketing move and claiming an ideological position in fu-ture. Phygital art is becoming an important part of the creative and media in-dustry, bringing investment and aesthetic attractiveness to the creation of vir-tual concert programs, films, games and exhibitions. The purpose of the study is to generalize and fix the phenomenon «phygital» in the cultural environment and determine its mechanisms and essential characteristics.

Co-design and pilot of a virtual reality intervention to improve mental and physical healthcare accessibility for people with intellectual disability

PurposeThis preliminary study aims to examine the use of a co-designed immersive virtual reality intervention programme in improving access to health care for people with intellectual disability.Design/methodology/approachA co-production approach was used to design a virtual reality intervention in collaboration with people with intellectual disability, their families and carers. A mixed-method single sample pre-test-post-test design examined using a virtual reality intervention simulating health-care environments to improve access of attending health-care appointments. Qualitative feedback was used to understand participants’ experience and opinions of using the digital technology.FindingsThe study found that the intervention did help people access health-care appointment and reduced their fear. Improvements were also found in quality-of-life post intervention. Positive feedback was provided from participants on using digital technologies indicating the novelty of the approach and potential further applications.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study which has used virtual reality to support people with intellectual disability access health care.

Client and clinician perspectives about a virtual education and exercise chronic disease management programme for people with hip and knee osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most prevalent chronic conditions in Canada. Despite the established benefits of non-pharmacological management (education, exercise) for people with OA, many do not receive treatment, resulting in pain, decreased physical function, and poorer quality of life. Virtual programme options grew significantly during the recent pandemic and may provide longer-term opportunities for increased uptake by reaching individuals otherwise unable to participate. This study explored the experiences and perspectives of clients participating in and clinicians providing the Good Life with osteoArthritis: Denmark (GLA:DTM) Canada remote programme. This qualitative descriptive study recruited 10 clients with hip and/or knee OA and 11 clinicians across Canada using purposive sampling. An online pre-interview survey was completed, and individual interviews were conducted, audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed independently by two researchers using inductive thematic analysis. Coding and analyses were initially conducted separately by group and then compared and combined. Four overarching themes (and 11 subthemes) were identified: (1) Expected and unexpected benefits of virtual programs; (2) Drawbacks to virtual programs; (3) Programme delivery in a virtual world; (4) Shifting and non-shifting perspectives. Although initially sceptical, after completion of the programme, clients were in favour of virtual delivery with many benefits described. Clinicians' perspectives varied about feedback aimed to correct client movement patterns. Clients and clinicians identified important experiential and procedural elements for virtual chronic disease management programs that include education and exercise. Additional work is needed to understand if the GLA:DTM remote outcomes are equivalent to the in-person programme.

Development and feasibility assessment of a virtual reality-based aerobic exercise program with real-time pulse rate monitoring on hemodynamic and arterial stiffness in healthy people: a pilot study.

Virtual reality (VR) exercises are reportedly beneficial as a physical activity tool for health promotion and rehabilitation, and can also help individuals exercise under professional supervision. We developed and investigated the potential feasibility of a VR-based aerobic exercise program using the XBOX ONE console and Kinect sensor with real-time pulse rate monitoring. The VR setting consisted of two-dimensional (2D) environments via computer, laptop, or television screens. In addition, the study investigated the potential feasibility of the VR-based exercise program on hemodynamic response and arterial stiffness in healthy participants of various ages. Healthy participants (n = 30) aged > 18 years were enrolled in the VR exercise-based program. All participants were required to wear a polar heart rate (HR) monitor set for moderate-intensity exercise, targeting 40%-59% of their HR reserve. Hemodynamic and arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity) were noninvasively measured. The Borg scale rate of perceived exertion (RPE) was also assessed. Following a VR-guided exercise routine, all participants performed moderate-intensity exercise with no adverse health outcomes during or after the exercise. The effects of VR-based aerobic exercise extended beyond enhanced central hemodynamic and arterial stiffness. However, neither hemodynamic nor arterial stiffness showed significant differences before and after the VR exercise, except for a higher RPE response following the exercise program. VR-based aerobic exercise with pulse rate monitoring is a promising physical activity tool to induce physiological changes and impact dyspnea scales and is also feasible for administration to healthy populations.

Efficacy of a virtual nursing simulation-based education to provide psychological support for patients affected by infectious disease disasters: a randomized controlled trial.

Virtual simulation-based education for healthcare professionals has emerged as a strategy for dealing with infectious disease disasters, particularly when training at clinical sites is restricted due to the risk of infection and a lack of personal protective equipment. This research evaluated a virtual simulation-based education program intended to increase nurses' perceived competence in providing psychological support to patients affected by infectious disease disasters. The efficacy of the program was evaluated via a randomized controlled trial. We recruited 104 nurses for participation in the study and allocated them randomly and evenly to an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group was given a web address through which they could access the program, whereas the control group was provided with a web address that directed them to text-based education materials. Data were then collected through an online survey of competence in addressing disaster mental health, after which the data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences(version 23.0). The analysis showed that the experimental group's disaster mental health competence (F = 5.149, p =.026), problem solving process (t = 3.024, p =.003), self-leadership (t = 2.063, p =.042), learning self-efficacy (t = 3.450, p =.001), and transfer motivation (t = 2.095, p =.039) significantly statistically differed from those of the control group. A virtual nursing simulation-based education program for psychological support can overcome limitations of time and space. The program would also be an effective learning resource during infectious disease outbreaks. This Korean clinical trial was retrospectively registered (21/11/2023) in the Clinical Research Information Service ( https://cris.nih.go.kr ) with trial registration number KCT0008965.

Examining Educational and Career Transition Points Among a Diverse, Virtual Mentoring Network

AbstractGiven the differences in trajectory for under-represented minorities in biomedical careers, we sought to explore how a virtual mentoring program, the National Research Mentoring Network (NRMN), and its platform (MyNRMN), may facilitate transitions in the science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM) pipeline. The purpose of this study was to describe how the size of an MyNRMN member’s mentoring network and level of engagement correlate with academic and career transitions. We examined MyNRMN platform user data from March 2020 to May 2021 (n = 2993). Logistic regression estimated the odds of a career or academic transition related to NRMN mentoring network size and engagement, while adjusting for confounders. Among active MyNRMN users for the one-year period, 5.2% (n = 155) had a positive transition. In the adjusted logistic regression model, users with more engagement on the MyNRMN platform (201 + points) had significantly higher odds of a positive transition (aOR = 2.19, 95% CI 1.14, 4.22) compared to those with 1–50 NRMN Points. Network size was not statistically significant. This study shows an association between being active within a virtual mentoring network and positive educational and career transitions in the STEMM pipeline. Active engagement in a virtual mentoring network may have benefits for mentees who aspire to join the STEMM workforce.

Comparing effectiveness of residential versus intensive virtual treatment for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions imposed on residential treatment programs necessitated rapid implementation of virtual treatment delivery. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Programs (P-RRTP) are a key mental health treatment for Veterans with PTSD who require more intensive interventions than outpatient care. During the pandemic, the W. G. (Bill) Hefner VA Healthcare System developed and implemented a Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program for PTSD (VIOPP) to meet the needs of the Veteran population. The purpose of this analysis was to compare the effectiveness of VIOPP to P-RRTP. Analyses included N = 370 Veterans, n = 193 who completed P-RRTP between January 2018 to April 2020 and n = 177 who completed VIOPP between June 2020 and November 2022 and provided pre- and posttreatment scores. Pre- and posttreatment scores of the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) were available for all patients. Pre- and posttreatment depressive symptom scores from the Nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) were available for n = 254 Veterans. Paired and independent samples t tests evaluated differences in change scores overall and by treatment modality (residential vs. virtual). Results indicated a significant decrease in PCL-5 scores regardless of treatment modality, p < .001. Despite beginning VIOPP with significantly higher PCL-5 scores than P-RRTP, there were no significant differences in PCL-5 change scores between virtual (M = -16.94) and residential treatment (M = -17.10), p = .910. PHQ-9 scores also decreased significantly for both treatment groups. These analyses suggest that intensive virtual treatment has similar effectiveness to residential treatment for PTSD. This supports the development of intensive virtual interventions as viable alternatives to residential treatments and a valuable component within the continuum of PTSD care. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Fostering academic resilience in higher education

Introduction: Students who develop resilience are more likely to sustain high levels of achievement, motivation, and performance despite the presence of stressful conditions.&#x0D; Method: Sixty-eight collegiate students completed pre- and post-Academic Resilience Scale-30 assessments before and after a brief, virtual educational program on common resilience strategies. Subjects then ranked the strategies in the educational program as “most helpful” and “least helpful.”&#x0D; Results: Data analysis revealed that there was a statistically significant difference between pre- and post- Academic Resilience Scale-30 scores, suggesting that the educational program improved resilience.&#x0D; Discussion: Subject ranking of strategies further revealed that the most helpful strategies were mantras and cost/benefit analysis while the least helpful strategies were mantras, writing down feelings, and cost-benefit analysis.&#x0D; Conclusion: Educational resilience programs have the potential to improve resilience amongst students enrolled in higher education. However, due to the conflicting opinions found in the rankings of strategies, future studies and resilience programs should focus on providing a variety of strategies to best support a diverse student population.

Participant Assessment of an Alternative Flexible Congregate Nutrition Meal Program for Older Adults

Congregate Nutrition Services have long been a pillar of public health assistance, championing the independence and community engagement of older Americans. The advent of COVID-19, however, restricted access to these services due to the closure of physical locations. In response, Lanakila Meals on Wheels initiated a virtual congregate meal program, Kūpuna U, in collaboration with community partners in Honolulu County. The program combined grab-and-go or home-delivered meals with virtual and in-person classes to improve both nutrition and socialization for older adults. This study aimed to capture participant feedback to assess and enhance the Kūpuna U program, developing it as a flexible and scalable congregate meal solution applicable nationwide. Five focus group discussions were conducted with program participants (n = 34). The majority of participants were female (74%), Asian (73%), and living alone (56%). Participants found the program beneficial, enhancing their nutrition, social engagement, and learning experiences on various topics tailored for older adults. Supportive staff played a crucial role in motivating participants to stay engaged. Participants also identified potential enhancements to the program, including more activities and courses, expanded hours, additional in-person options at various locations, and culturally tailored meals.

Computing Tutors Performance Indicator in Virtual Learning Environment

Quality assurance has become an urgent necessity in all spheres of life, including education and learning in all stages from primary school to higher education, since it constitutes the core of development in the new era of knowledge economy. The aim of this paper is to present a new methodology applied to ensure quality of learning process within virtual learning environments. Our case study focused on the model of quality control adopted by Syrian Virtual University (SVU), which is pioneer in the field of virtual learning in the Middle East and the Arab region. The methodology is based on SET methodology (Students Evaluation Test) and defined by the assessments of each of the four pillars of learning process: (1) Assessment of tutors performed by learners; (2) Assessment of tutors performed by the administration; (3) Assessment of tutors performed by their peers; (4) Self-assessment of tutors. The last two procedures have not been yet implemented within SVU, while other procedures are in continuous development in order to improve their results. The importance of this model comes from its flexibility, its appliance since 2018 in a virtual education establishment (Syrian Virtual University), its possible generalization to any similar environment with virtual academic programs.

The Effect of a Virtual Reality Counseling Program Based on Metacognitive Therapy in Reducing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder among Those Recovering from Covid-19

IntroductionMany COVID-19 survivors who were attacked and suffered severe symptoms of the virus have suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which persists for long periods. These people need treatment to alleviate the severity of these disorders. Metacognitive therapy (MCT) is one of the modern therapeutic trends in psychological counseling, which focuses on the nature of the thought rather than on identifying and changing the thought as in other cognitive therapies. It is also concerned with whether people possess an aspect of reflective awareness and aims for a broader understanding of the way the mind works. Working on the process of metacognition, that is, the individual’s thinking about what he knows, being aware of his thoughts, and constantly monitoring and organizing them, helps reduce anxiety disorders and mood swings, and this will reduce psychotic disorders.ObjectivesThe current study aims to identify the effect of a virtual reality (VR) counseling program based on MCT in reducing the severity of PTSD among survivors of Covid-19. It also examines the continuity of the effectiveness of this program in reducing these disorders.MethodsThe quasi-experimental method (two group design) with experimental and control groups with a pre-posttest and a follow-up test was adopted. The sample for the current study consisted of 60 COVID-19 survivors suffering from PTSD. The PTSD scale was applied online to a group of people recovering from Covid-19 from the Arab Republic of Egypt. Then those who had high scores were selected, contacted and their consent was obtained to apply a virtual reality counseling program to them. The counseling program was implemented via virtual reality technology, and consisted of 20 counseling sessions, each session lasted between 60-90 minutes. The program continued for two months, with two sessions per week.ResultsThe results of the current research revealed a significant improvement in the experimental group through a significant reduction in their post-traumatic stress disorders. The results also showed the effectiveness of the counseling program based on metacognitive therapy in reducing the manifestations of post-traumatic stress disorders in those recovering from Covid-19. The results confirmed the continuing effect of the program after the follow-up period.ConclusionsUsing metacognitive therapy has an effective effect in reducing post-traumatic stress disorder, and it can be used with many psychologically disturbed people.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Assessing Confidence and Competence of Student Pharmacists in a Virtual Medication Adherence Training Program

ObjectiveTo assess the impact of a virtual medication adherence training (VMAT) program on students' perceived confidence and perceived competency in delivering medication adherence services via telehealth. MethodsThis pilot pre-/post-observational study consisted of 2 subsequent sections: (1) 4 asynchronous self-study modules via Canvas (Instructure, Inc.) learning management system, and (2) 2 live application-based sessions involving virtual and telephonic standardized patients. A pre-/post-survey was given to first-, second-, and third-year Doctor of Pharmacy students to assess perceived confidence and perceived competence. Participants completed a 5-question multiple-choice quiz before and after each module to assess knowledge. ResultsStudents' overall perceived confidence and perceived competency significantly increased upon completing VMAT. Knowledge in each module assessment also significantly improved. During the assessment of performance throughout the live sessions, most participants lost points when resolving issues within the interaction, addressing the need for patient follow-up, and assessing patient knowledge of medication adherence. ConclusionThis novel VMAT suggests that this or similar programs would be beneficial to improve pharmacy students’ perceived confidence, perceived competence, and knowledge in delivering virtual medication adherence services in the telehealth setting. The incorporation of such training within the didactic curriculum of doctoral pharmacy programs should be considered to improve patient care skills for future medication experts.

Development of a Virtual Pediatric Telemedicine Training Program

Development of a Virtual Pediatric Telemedicine Training Program

Claims data analysis of provider-to-provider tele-mentoring program impact on opioid prescribing in Missouri.

The objective of this study was to assess opioid prescribing patterns of primary care providers (PCPs) participating in a virtual tele-mentoring program for patients with chronic pain as compared to nonparticipants. We utilized Missouri Medicaid claims from 2013 to 2021 to compare opioid prescription dosages and daily supply of opioids prescribed by PCPs. Participants and nonparticipants were matched using propensity score matching. Missouri Medicaid data were received through partnership with the Center for Health Policy's MO HealthNet Data Project, the state's leading provider of Medicaid data. Missouri-based prescribers. Show-Me Project Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO), an evidence-based provider-to-provider telehealth intervention that connects PCPs with a team of specialists. We compared the rate of prescription opioid >50 morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs), mean MMEs/day, and mean number of daily supply to understand the impact of the ECHO model on providers' opioid prescribing. Patients treated by ECHO providers have 33 percent lower odds of being prescribed opioid dose >50 MME/day (p < 0.001) compared to non-ECHO providers. There is also a 14 percent reduction in the average opioid dose prescribed to patients of ECHO providers (p < 0.001). We observed a 3 percent (p < 0.001) reduction in average daily supply of opioids among patients of ECHO providers compared to the comparison group. Pain Management ECHO supports PCPs with needed education and skills to provide specialty care in the management of pain conditions and safe prescribing of opioid medications.

Indications of Community College Virtual International Exchange Outcomes: Global Perspective-Taking and Self-Efficacy

This study explored student learning outcomes related to virtual international exchange, namely global perspective-taking and self-efficacy, among a sample of 76 community college students in the United States. Viewing virtual exchange as a possible high-impact educational practice, we anticipated that participation would have a positive relationship with these two outcomes. To test this hypothesis, we used survey data collected from students attending two community colleges in the US Southeast. Using a pre-test/post-test design, we estimated linear regression models to explore the relationship between virtual exchange participation and these two outcomes, measured using the Global Perspectives Inventory and the New General Self-efficacy Scale. Counter to expectation, we found that virtual exchange was not generally significantly related to changes in students’ global perspective-taking or sense of self-efficacy. We hypothesize these null findings relate to characteristics of virtual exchange programs and differences between virtual exchange and other international experiences like study abroad.

Participatory Development of a Virtual Reality Exercise Program for People with Chronic Pain.

Background: By describing how a participatory process led to changes in the design of a study of a virtual reality (VR)-guided exercise and mindfulness intervention tailored to people with chronic musculoskeletal pain, this article makes the case for including end user at an early stage when planning research within this field. Methods: A multidisciplinary panel including end-user representatives, researcher, clinicians, and VR developers participated in a 1-day workshop to design a randomized study and a VR-guided intervention. Results: Through the participatory process, changes were made to the original study design with respect to experimental design, duration, content of VR interventions and mode of delivery. Conclusion: This case exemplifies the importance of including end-user participants in the early phases of planning VR interventions for people with chronic pain.

A qualitative study of individuals with acquired brain injury’ and program facilitators’ experiences in virtual ABI community support programs

A qualitative study of individuals with acquired brain injury’ and program facilitators’ experiences in virtual ABI community support programs

Effectiveness and Feasibility of virtual international exchange program for occupational therapy students to develop the international perspective and professional skills -Mix-method study

Background: Virtual international exchange programs have been promoted; however, the effectiveness of the programs has not yet been examined well in the field of occupational therapy (OT) field. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness and feasibility of a virtual international exchange program for OT students.Methods: Mix-method was applied in this study.Two universities from Japan and Indonesia created an exchange program to cultivate international perspectives and facilitate gaining OT professional knowledge and skills, as well as learning basic scientific study skills. Questionnaires on international minded and program evaluations, which were analyzed by descriptive analysis, were given to the participants before and after the program. Focus group interviews, which were analyzed with reflective thematic analysis, were conducted after the program.Results: Ten students joined the program, six students answered the questionnaires, and eight students participated in the focus group interviews. Students were satisfied with the program overall, even though there were no significant changes in the total scores of the international minded between before and after the program. In the focus group interviews, the participants mentioned their motivations for participating in the program, program evaluation, international minded, and self-growing awareness. The participants expressed that they gained OT professional knowledge and academic skills from the program.Conclusion: As a feasible virtual program, well-organized programs considering the students’ academic learning skills and interests could provide opportunities for individual development, acquiring professional knowledge, and incite self-growing. In addition, the result might show the effectiveness of virtual programs to cultivate international perspective and professional knowledge.