EC Nursing and Healthcare

Aims and Objectives: The aim was to examine the effectiveness and usefulness of VR as a familiarisation tool for staff of NFMHS during a new build relocation.

Background: Virtual Reality is beneficial in training across many disciplines. The core principle of an immersive virtual reality experience lies in the functionality of 360-degree image viewing. VR is explored as a tool for new build familiarisation of a new forensic mental health hospital in Dublin, Ireland.

Design: This study used an experience survey.

Methods: The study surveyed 58 staff of NFMHS after staff had an experience of 360 videos of the new hospital. The videos were viewed through a head-mounted device.

Results: The results highlight majority of the staff strongly agreed with VR as a tool for familiarisation. 88 Per cent of the staff stated that VR helped them to understand the new hospital structure better.

Conclusion: VR as a familiarisation tool to help staff understand a new hospital is highly effective and valuable. It also ensures staff engagement during the familiarisation due to the novel experience for staff.

Keywords: Virtual Reality; Staff Familiarisation; Hospital Relocation

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