Patient education for jaw reconstruction using virtual reality

Virtual Reality (VR) Intervention: This will take no longer than 1 hour and will attempt to be coordinated on the same day as another attendance at Chris O'Brien Lifehouse (COBLH). That is, the intervention will only be delivered once. The participants will first be orientated to the technology and VR headset at the commencement of the practical session by a moderator (Investigators TM, DS, AS, or RV) with experience with the hardware and software. Comfort features such as adjusting straps or incorporating the participants personal glasses will be demonstrated to ensure comfort during the practical component. There are two components to the practical module of the VR education experience. Participants will undertake a learning/training module designed to orientate themselves to the hand controls as well as moving safely within the designated space. This module is designed to replicate the controls and movements required during the education session. Functions will include ‘grabbing’ objects, repositioning objects and moving within the virtual world. The second component is the education experience. It involves the participant sitting in a chair and ‘walking’ within the virtual world and interacting with a number of different stations. Each station has a computer generated hologram that will provide pre-produced educational material as well as the ability for the participant to interact with objects at the station. At the commencement, the participant will be able to control the amount of and level of information basic information given initially and the option to ‘learn more’ with the delivery of additional content. The participants will be able to choose which and how many stations they elect to interact with, with the order of these stations predetermined as it follows the patients experiences each during their treatment. A screen capture (recording of the screen) will be performed and assessed following completion of the activity allowing accurate recording of timing as well as capturing technical issues and accurate documentation. An audio recording of the session will also be performed for recording of the think-aloud component of the session. This will undergo quantitative data analysis to identify themes as well as representative quotes across each participants experience. CONTENT SUMMARY OF VR EDUCATION/STATIONS: (NOTE: this has been taken from script) Station 1 has some 3D models of the skull and face, which you might like to pick up and look at them from different perspectives to understand the anatomy of the face. Station 2 shows the main steps of reconstructive surgery of the jaw bones. Station 3 tells you about a process called Virtual Surgical Planning (VSP for short). Surgeons and engineers use VSP to accurately plan your surgery on a computer-generated model – this allows them to tailor the surgical plan to a person’s unique anatomy. Station 4 is all about dental rehabilitation, which is an important part of the process for many patients to be able to regain important functions after surgery. Station 5 provides you with information about how 3D printing is used to make important surgical tools in our Lab such as cutting guides, which are used during surgery. Station 6 gives you an opportunity to see inside the operating theatre, much like the one where you’ll be having your surgery. You will see the layout of the operating theatre and see some of the team who will be there on the day.