Extended reality training for mass casualty incidents: a systematic review on effectiveness and experience of medical first responders
Dublin Core
Title
Extended reality training for mass casualty incidents: a systematic review on effectiveness and experience of medical first responders
Subject
Disaster preparedness, Emergency medicine education, Disaster training, Extended reality
Description
Abstract
Introduction Mass casualty incidents (MCI) are unforeseeable and complex events that occur worldwide, therefore
enhancing the training that medical first responders (MFRs) receive is fundamental to strengthening disaster
preparedness and response. In recent years, extended reality (XR) technology has been introduced as a new approach
and promising teaching technique for disaster medicine education.
Objective To assess the effectiveness of XR simulation as a tool to train MFRs in MCIs, and to explore the perception
and experience of participants to these new forms of training.
Design Systematic review.
Methods This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the “Preferred reporting items for systematic
reviews and meta-analyses” (PRISMA) statement. Four databases were searched (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and
LILACs) using a comprehensive search strategy to identify relevant articles, and MetaQAT was used as a study quality
assessment tool. Data from included studies was not pooled for meta-analysis due to heterogeneity. Extracted data
was synthesised in a narrative, semi-quantitative manner.
Results A total of 18 studies were included from 8 different countries. Studies encompassed a variety of participants
(e.g., nurses, paramedics, physicians), interventions (virtual, mixed and augmented reality), comparators (comparison
between two groups and single groups with pre-post evaluation), and outcomes (effectiveness and MFR perception).
The synthesis of data indicated that XR was an effective tool for prehospital MCI training by means of improved triage
accuracy, triage time, treatment accuracy, performance correctness and/or knowledge acquired. These XR systems
were well perceived by MFRs, who expressed their interest and satisfaction towards this learning experience and
emphasized its usefulness and relevance.
Conclusion This research supports the usefulness and significance of XR technology that allows users to enhance
their skills and confidence when facing forthcoming disasters. The findings summarize recommendations and
suggestions for the implementation, upgrade and/or assessment of this novel and valuable teaching method.
Keywords Disaster preparedness, Emergency medicine education, Disaster training, Extended reality
Introduction Mass casualty incidents (MCI) are unforeseeable and complex events that occur worldwide, therefore
enhancing the training that medical first responders (MFRs) receive is fundamental to strengthening disaster
preparedness and response. In recent years, extended reality (XR) technology has been introduced as a new approach
and promising teaching technique for disaster medicine education.
Objective To assess the effectiveness of XR simulation as a tool to train MFRs in MCIs, and to explore the perception
and experience of participants to these new forms of training.
Design Systematic review.
Methods This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the “Preferred reporting items for systematic
reviews and meta-analyses” (PRISMA) statement. Four databases were searched (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and
LILACs) using a comprehensive search strategy to identify relevant articles, and MetaQAT was used as a study quality
assessment tool. Data from included studies was not pooled for meta-analysis due to heterogeneity. Extracted data
was synthesised in a narrative, semi-quantitative manner.
Results A total of 18 studies were included from 8 different countries. Studies encompassed a variety of participants
(e.g., nurses, paramedics, physicians), interventions (virtual, mixed and augmented reality), comparators (comparison
between two groups and single groups with pre-post evaluation), and outcomes (effectiveness and MFR perception).
The synthesis of data indicated that XR was an effective tool for prehospital MCI training by means of improved triage
accuracy, triage time, treatment accuracy, performance correctness and/or knowledge acquired. These XR systems
were well perceived by MFRs, who expressed their interest and satisfaction towards this learning experience and
emphasized its usefulness and relevance.
Conclusion This research supports the usefulness and significance of XR technology that allows users to enhance
their skills and confidence when facing forthcoming disasters. The findings summarize recommendations and
suggestions for the implementation, upgrade and/or assessment of this novel and valuable teaching method.
Keywords Disaster preparedness, Emergency medicine education, Disaster training, Extended reality
Creator
María del Carmen Cardós-Alonso1,2* , Lucía Otero-Varela3,4 , María Redondo1
, Miriam Uzuriaga1
,
Myriam González1
, Tatiana Vazquez1
, Alberto Blanco1
, Salvador Espinosa1
and Ana María Cintora-Sanz1
, Miriam Uzuriaga1
,
Myriam González1
, Tatiana Vazquez1
, Alberto Blanco1
, Salvador Espinosa1
and Ana María Cintora-Sanz1
Source
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-024-00685-3
Date
2024
Contributor
Peri Irawan
Format
pdf
Language
english
Type
text
Files
Collection
Citation
María del Carmen Cardós-Alonso1,2* , Lucía Otero-Varela3,4 , María Redondo1
, Miriam Uzuriaga1
,
Myriam González1
, Tatiana Vazquez1
, Alberto Blanco1
, Salvador Espinosa1
and Ana María Cintora-Sanz1, “Extended reality training for mass casualty incidents: a systematic review on effectiveness and experience of medical first responders,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 25, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/12404.