School of Medical and Health Sciences

Virtual reality and health simulation research

The Simulation and Immersive Digital Technology group is comprised of a multidisciplinary early and mid-career researcher team who investigate the use of immersive technology, such as virtual reality, for real world simulation and educational needs. Spanning three ECU schools, this unique collaborative team bring together skills which cover health sciences research, simulation education, serious game theory, game design, animation and biomechanics.

Through use of the industry standard 18 camera ECU Motion Capture Studio, high fidelity, human focussed virtual simulations can be produced and evaluated which are difficult to replicate in real-world conditions. Scenarios range from mass trauma and disaster triage, violence and aggression de-escalation, procedural management and enforcement of Occupational Health and Safety regulations and drug and alcohol education.

Formative and evaluative research contribute to the evidence base informing best practices for applied immersive simulation and education. Real world engagement and impact is recognised through consultation with industry partners and end-users, and the implementation of the immersive simulation experiences which are developed for bespoke industry needs.

For more information, contact Dr Brennen Mills or see here

Current projects

• Triage training for first responders to mass casualty incidents and disasters
• Early identification of and appropriate response to aggressive behaviour for hospital workers
• Development of a COVID-19 coronavirus online training package for paramedics and paramedic students
• The development of online substance awareness educational content
• Opening new choreographic opportunities through 3D virtual dancers performing in mixed reality
• Augmented Reality Child Health Interactive Experience: A digital gaming platform for paediatric oncology patients to reduce hospitalisation/treatment-related anxiety and depression
• Consultative development of a virtual reality platform to train and prepare exercise physiologists for Graded Exercise Stress Test scenarios and incidences
• Forensic photography training in virtual reality
• Virtual-reality-enhanced advanced tactical parachute training

Research Team

Key research grants

• Virtual-reality-enhanced advanced tactical parachute training (Defence Science Centre WA)
• Early identification of and appropriate response to aggressive behaviour for hospital workers (WA Department of Health)
• Community Expectations and utilisation of emergency health services during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic (Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science & Innovation)
• The development of online substance awareness educational content (Sideffect Australia)
• Opening new choreographic opportunities through 3D virtual dancers performing in mixed reality (Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries)

Key publications (select publications from the last 5 years)

Hill, M., Hansen, S. Hopper, L., Brook, L., & Mills, B. The use of immersive technologies as therapeutic tools in paediatric psycho-oncology treatment: A scoping review of the literature. International Journal of Child Computer Interaction. (In review)

Miles, A., Hansen, S. & Mills, B. (2020) A simulated night shift for undergraduate paramedicine students: Lessons learnt and the perceived value towards learning. Australasian Journal of Paramedicine. 17. Doi: 10.33151/ajp.17.732.

Mills, B., Dykstra, P., Hansen, S., Miles, A., Rankin, T., Hopper, L., Brook, L., & Bartlett, D. (2019) Virtual reality triage training can provide comparable simulation efficacy for paramedicine students compared to live simulation-based scenarios. Prehospital Emergency Care. https://doi.org/10.1080/10903127.2019.1676345

Mills, B., Hansen, S., Nang, C., McDonald, H., Lyons-Wall, P., Hunt, J. & O’Sullivan, T. (2019) A Pilot Evaluation of Simulation-Based Interprofessional Education for Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology and Dietetic students: Improvements in Attitudes and Confidence. Journal of Interprofessional Care. Doi: 10.1080/13561820.2019.1659759

Mills, B., Miles, A., Phan, T., Dykstra, P., Hansen, S., Walsh, A., Reid, D. & Langdon, C. (2018) Investigating the extent realistic moulage impacts on immersion and performance amongst undergraduate paramedicine students in a simulation-based traumatic scenario: A pilot study. Simulation in Healthcare. 13:2, 331–340