Next Generation of Virtual World Environments for the Education of Midwives in Preparation for Stillbirth and Problem Birthing Scenarios
Supervisors: Dr Joan Condell (Cognitive Robotics Team), Dr Jim Harkin (Serious Games & Virtual world's team)
Consultant: Mr Michael Callaghan (Serious Games & Virtual world's team)
Collaborator: Professor Marlene Sinclair (University of Ulster, Midwifery Professor);
Recent studies have reported that more than half a million women die each year due to preventable pregnancy and childbirth complications, in particular, on average the UK annually records the delivery of 4,000 stillborn babies. Current ongoing research is investigating the surveillance and monitoring of mothers at risk of complications or stillbirth through the use of vision techniques [1]. It has been identified that substandard care is associated with avoidable maternal and infant deaths and it has been recommended that multi-professional education and training in obstetrical emergencies be pursued [2] to address the problem. Modern maternity services face a growing need and are continuously challenged through the demand to provide normal birth pathways for a range of patients with ongoing or prior problems (e.g. older mothers; women with HIV, diabetes and complex social problems) [3]. Modern discourse on technology and childbirth focus primarily on disembodiment, fragmentation, patriarchy and the use of technology to control all aspects of normal birth but there is a gap in the literature for the counter arguments where the role of modern technology in complex childbirth may be considered appropriate, effective and highly desirable [4, 5]. The importance of simulation has been identified [6, 7] as an appropriate educational tool for increasing midwifery student and staff confidence and competency in real time but the problem with maintaining competences was hampered by issues such as accessibility, cost and staff motivation. Modern technology through the application of 3-D virtual worlds provides the opportunity for educators to motivate staff to remain engaged and to retain high level performance skills through internet based education [8]. This has been demonstrated at Ulster through Engineering and Computing Science Education initiatives [9, 10].
Method
A virtual world is an advanced 3D environment which facilitates a high level of interaction and communication among users [11]. When entering the virtual world your avator (or character) appears on the virtual world. Users explore the environment and navigate surroundings using their avatar, and various buildings or 'environments' can be created in the virtual world to stimulate avatars and their activities or movement. Research is necessary to make the awareness and understanding of midwifery, birth complications and stillbirth in 3-D virtual simulation more effective, engaging, and accessible at less expensive. Midwifery has been leading the way in simulation in environments like Second Life. Previous research at the University of Nottingham has investigated how 3-D learning spaces can be designed for learner engagement, how much immersion is required and what sort of realism is necessary for designing 3-D learning spaces [7]. Further research has involved the creation of a maternity ward and production of a ten-minute machinima outlining aims and outcomes to date [6]. The amazing potential of immersive learning opportunities was also demonstrated through research in midwifery teaching through Second Life [12] which involved the creation of a real-world birthing unit, Te W?hi Wh?nau (The Birth Place). Midwifery students were able experience the authenticity of birth even if in a virtual world.
Project Aims and Objectives
The aims and objectives of this PhD are to:
- describe the role of modern technology and provide a sound theoretical, practical and evidence-based analysis of the role of modern technology in the care of women with complex healthcare needs and birth requirements where babies and/or mothers may be at risk.
- discern the appropriate use of technology in childbirth and stillbirth and to investigate the effectiveness and motivational impact of current simulation and training in obstetrical emergency interventions for problem scenarios.
- investigate existing models of learning spaces in a 3-D virtual world (e.g. Second Life) relating to clinical applications in particular, and the rationale for their designs.
- design a 3-D virtual simulation educational tool for multi-professional obstetrical emergency training for stillbirth and problem scenarios.
- evaluate accessibility, acceptability and effectiveness of such a programme.
Anticipated Outcomes
The project outcomes will focus on creating advanced 3D simulations for the education of midwives in preparation for stillbirth and problem birthing scenarios
Resources needed
The virtual world environments and servers to host the simulations are already available within the team/centre. Ethical Issues - Low risk with standard ethical approval already granted. If further data is required later in project this will be sought from Royal Hospital where access has been gained to foetal scan data for current Ulster foetal surveillance project.
Contact for further information:
Dr Joan Condell
Senior Lecturer
Room MS131
School of Computing and Intelligent Systems
University of Ulster, Magee Campus
Telephone: +44 28 71675024
Email: j.condell@ulster.ac.uk
References
- Surlea, C., Kurugollu, F., Milligan, P., Ong, S. (2011) Foetal motion classification using optical flow displacement histograms. In Proceedings of 4th International Symposium on Applied Sciences in Biomedical and Communication Technologies (ISABEL 2011), Barcelona, 2011.
- Crozier K, Sinclair M, Kernohan WG, Porter S. (2006) Birth technology competence: a concept analysis. Evidence Based Midwifery 4(3): 96-100
- Madden E, Sinclair M, Wright, M (2011) Teamwork and obstetrical emergencies Evidence Based Midwifery 9:1
- Daniels et al (2010) Prospective Randomized Trial of Simulation Versus Didactic Teaching for Obstetrical Emergencies. Journal of Society for Simulation in Healthcare: Vol.5, Issue 1, pp 40-45
- Stockdale, J., Sinclair, M., Kernohan, W.G., Keller, J.M. (2007) Exploring the potential of the internet to motivate breastfeeding. Evidence Based Midwifery 5 (1):10-15
- Bailey, J. (2011). The birth of immersive learning and contemporaneous storytelling in a virtual maternity unit.: (Strengthening midwives and midwifery practice). In: 13th international confederation midwives conference, Durban, South Africa.
- McCants, C., Bailey, J. (2011) Designing for learning through immersion: The benefits of cross disciplinary collaboration in construction of a virtual midwifery simulation In: Innovative research in virtual worlds.
- Prior, J. (2006) Computer Aided Learning in Midwifery: Panacea or Pandora's box?. In: Virtuality and Education: A reader Rodopi Editions, Amsterdam and Atlanta, Ga.
- Callaghan, M., McCusker, K., Losada, J., Harkin, J., Wilson, S. (2009) Engineering Education Island: Teaching Engineering in Virtual Worlds. ITALICS (Innovation in Teaching And Learning in Information and Computer Sciences)
- Callaghan M, McCusker K, Losada J, Harkin J, Wilson S. (2009) Teaching Engineering Education using Virtual Worlds and Virtual Learning Environments, International Conference on Advances in Computing, Control, and Telecommunication Technologies, pp.295 - 299, 28th-29th Dec, 2009
- Second Life. VNEC-Virtual Neurological Education Centre in Second Life. Available from: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Lost%20Islands%20NW/48/83/22. Accessed 13/1/2012
- Using a Virtual birth Unit to Teach Students about Normal Birth. Available from: http://www.slideshare.net/sarahs/using-a-virtual-birth-unit-to-teach-students. Accessed 13/1/2012.
Personnel Involved
First Supervisor: Condell, J Dr
Second Supervisor: Harkin, J Dr
Third Supervisor: Callaghan, M Mr
Collaborator: Professor Marlene Sinclair (University of Ulster, Midwifery Professor);
Collaboration: This project does not involve collaboration with another establishment