How virtual reality is changing home health care

The unknown of what’s behind the next door. That’s the reality for clinicians delivering care in homes. Every environment is different, and each situation is unique. 

Emma O’Donnell, a Clinical Nurse Manager at Alfred Health, is passionate about helping home healthcare workers prepare for unpredictable moments with virtual reality (VR) technology. 

'I identified a gap for our clinicians working in home environments. You don’t have the same support when delivering care outside of the hospital. It’s a very autonomous role where it might just be you and the patient’. 

Alfred Health’s ‘Hospital in the Home’ service provides bed-substituted care to support patients in their homes - an approach that requires a diverse skill set, and until now, much of that learning has happened on the job. 

Determined to find a better way, Emma embarked on a study tour across Australia and the Unites States to learn how VR technology is already transforming clinical training. 

At Westmead Hospital in Sydney, Emma observed VR simulations for Advanced Life Support and clinical de-escalation training, featuring AI-driven virtual patients exhibiting challenging behaviours. 'Virtual reality training can replicate situations that are difficult to produce in a typical learning environment. It allows multiple students to experience the same scenario and discuss learnings together’. 

At Ohio State University, Emma observed the utilisation of a gamified VR platform to spot hazards in different home environments. ‘You're not really sure what you're going to be walking into and there are hazards and psychosocial situations that you have to be conscious of. That’s why we need to give them a tool belt to prepare them to manage unpredictable situations’. 

Since returning, Emma has formed a working group and launched a survey to gather insights on training gaps and real-life experiences that could be replicated in VR. 'I’m aiming to develop a robust, sustainable program. With the remaining scholarship funds, I intend to buy a VR headset, gaming laptop and a 360 camera. We’ll then test the usability of this equipment’. 
 
‘Without the Alfred Health Nursing scholarship, I wouldn't have been able to visit Westmead Hospital or The Ohio State University. I’m so grateful to Bank first for allowing me the opportunity to explore different virtual technologies.’ 

'My goal now is to build something, hopefully pretty amazing, within Alfred Health to better support clinicians working in home environments.' 

The program will build clinician confidence in homes, enabling them to continue delivering excellent patient care beyond the hospital. 

Innovation drives progress, and we’re proud to support Emma’s ambition.