Case Studies Philips Healthcare – XperGuide eLearning DDA builds a Virtual Medical Simulation (VMS) to train medical professionals through procedure-based simulations.
Challenge
The Clinical Adoption Program Managers within Philips Healthcare's Cardio/Vascular division wanted an eLearning platform to prepare internationally-based physicians, radiologists, and medical technicians for upcoming peer-to-peer workshops on the XperCT and XperGuide systems. One of Philips' biggest hurdles is in getting physicians to show interest in and train quickly and effectively on the equipment associated with advanced clinical procedures.
Objectives
Philips Healthcare asked DDA to base the XperGuide eLearning tool on the virtual environment and simulations developed previously by DDA for Philips' EP Navigator system. The goal for the XperGuide eLearning tool was to be interactive, immersive, and wholly engaging, and to include an introduction with an on-screen actress to present the features of XperCT and XperGuide, a passive simulation that would guide users through the equipment, and an active simulation where users could operate the equipment during the course of a basic procedure in a risk-free virtual setting.
Solution
Through a combination of video, animation, programming, audio narration, still photography, and 3D models, DDA created a futuristic lab environment where users are first guided through a procedure step-by-step before they are provided with the tools to perform the procedure on their own. The simulation provides physicians with a hands-on introduction to all medical equipment involved in a Philips interventional suite and allows them to learn and train in a life-like environment in the comfort of their office or home. Physicians can even train on the go by way of the mobile applications DDA developed in addition to the online tool. After completing the simulations, users are presented with a personalized certificate with a date stamp as proof of participation. Additionally, Philips can keep track of all user involvement and navigation through an administrative back-end system custom programmed by DDA.
Results
After piloting the Xperguide eLearning tool during a workshop with physicians from the United Kingdom, Slovenia, Turkey, Germany, and Holland, the response was beyond positive. Prior to the workshop, one of Philips' concerns was whether the physicians would take the time allotted to use the tool or breeze through it and stand around drinking coffee and answering email. Not only did the physicians use the entire time allotted (45 minutes), but workshop instructors actually had to ask them to stop to move on to the next activity and a few came back during a break to continue with the tool.
The XperGuide eLearning tool designed and developed by DDA is revolutionizing Philips Healthcare's training methods, reducing training costs, and providing a higher level of preparedness and understanding that will benefit patients, clinicians, hospitals, and Philips.
