Play and Learn: Gamified Feedback for Ultrasound-Guided Catheter Insertion Training in Virtual Reality
Mohammad Raihanul Bashar, Alejandro Olivares Hernandez, Yahia Zine, Anil Ufuk Batmaz
TLDR
Gamified feedback in VR medical training for ultrasound-guided catheter insertion significantly reduces task time and workload, boosting learning.
Key contributions
- Developed a VR simulator for ultrasound-guided catheter insertion with gamified visual and auditory feedback.
- Studies with novices and clinicians showed gamification reduced task time and lowered workload.
- Improved usability, goal clarity for novices, and enhanced pacing for expert users.
Why it matters
Traditional VR medical simulators often lack effective formative feedback. This paper demonstrates that integrating gamification significantly enhances training for complex procedures by improving performance and user experience. It offers a practical, engaging approach to make VR medical training more efficient.
Original Abstract
Virtual reality (VR) is widely used for procedural medical training, yet most simulators emphasize realism while providing limited formative feedback. We examine how gamification affects performance, workload, and experiential quality in VR training for ultrasound-guided peripheral intravenous catheter insertion. We developed a gamified simulator with semantically aligned visual and auditory feedback (e.g., progress indicators, alignment guidance, rewards) while preserving procedural fidelity. Two studies were conducted with novices (N=24) and clinicians (N=12). Results showed that gamification reduced task time, improved usability, and lowered workload across expertise levels. Qualitative findings indicate improved goal clarity and confidence for novices and better pacing for experts. Overall, gamification can function as an effective formative feedback in VR medical training.
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