The Virtual Resus Room

The Problem:
Physical distancing restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic lead to the transition from in-person teaching to online alternatives. Delivering online simulation education has been particularly challenging for educators. 

The Gap:
Most simulation software programs are expensive and typically are designed for single learner use only.  One method of offering simulation remotely involves a technician performing actions in the sim lab as directed by learners observing virtually. Other educators have hosted sessions that are structured like oral exams, where learners talk through cases by verbalizing management steps in response to questions from their facilitators. Some groups have had learners watch videos of a simulation and then discuss it. Although these methods allow for the mental rehearsal of running a case, none of them provide learners with the opportunity to practice their crisis resource management (CRM) skills. 

The Innovation:
The Virtual Resus Room (VRR), developed by the lead author, is an open-access online simulation tool which allows learners to apply their knowledge using simulated patient cases and to rehearse their CRM skills. The VRR uses Google Slides and Zoom. Learners and facilitators communicate with each other using Zoom. Learners collaboratively complete tasks by making synchronous edits to their shared Google Slide “room”, which consists of a patient silhouette surrounded by moveable images of resuscitation equipment. Facilitators modify the patient’s vitals and provide updates in response to the learners’ actions. 

Why Others Should Try This:
The VRR has been well received by participants and facilitators. A program evaluation completed at McMaster demonstrated high scores for usability, acceptability, and applicability from both facilitators and medical students. The VRR has been used for medical students, residents, nurses, paramedics, and interprofessional teams across North America and internationally. The VRR website offers more than twenty cases that are ready for use and provides instructions for how to easily develop a new room. The VRR is an open-access resource that has been well-received, widely adopted and is a useful resource for any educator interested in online simulation.