Teaching Health Care in Virtual Space is the first “how-to” manual for health educators on the instructional use of three-dimensional, computer-generated virtual environments that can be inhabited simultaneously by many participants; commonly called “multi-user virtual learning environments” or MUVE. Based on her experience supervising more than 400 learning activities in Second Life®—as of 2014, the largest public (free) MUVE—Dr. Estelle Codier has written a step-by-step handbook for novice and experienced MUVE teachers alike. The book provides those new to virtual teaching with specific steps to assess their own instructional readiness, guidance for assessing student and class readiness, as well as detailed descriptions of problem prevention and solutions. The text is accompanied by lively case studies of both success and failure in virtual learning environments. Inspiring stories of student learning illustrate the power of MUVE to transform health care education. This innovative handbook presents an extended discussion of the pedagogical advantages for learning in multi-user virtual environments, along with a history of learning in Second Life®. The text includes an appendix of supporting materials for MUVE learning activities: evaluation grids, grading matrices, syllabus descriptions, and detailed orientation materials for both faculty and students. While the sample learning activities were designed for nurses, instructors in other disciplines could easily adapt them for use in any MUVE setting.

Teaching Health Care in Virtual Space is the first “how-to” manual for health educators on the instructional use of three-dimensional, computer-generated virtual environments, called “multi-user virtual learning environments” or MUVE. Dr. Estelle Codier has written a step-by-step handbook based on her experience supervising more than 400 learning activities in Second Life®. The book provides specific steps to assess instructional readiness and guidance for assessing student and class readiness. The text is accompanied by lively case studies of student learning illustrate the power of MUVE to transform health care education.The text includes an appendix of evaluation grids, grading matrices, syllabus descriptions, and detailed orientation materials for both faculty and students. While the sample learning activities were designed for nurses, instructors in other disciplines could easily adapt them for use in any MUVE setting.

Within the last few years, devices that are increasingly capable of offering an immersive experience close to reality have emerged. As devices decrease in size, the interest and application possibilities for them increase. In the healthcare sector, there is an enormous potential for virtual reality development, as this technology allows, on the one hand, the execution of operations or processes at a distance, decoupling realities; and on the other hand, it offers the possibility of simulation for training purposes, whenever there are contexts of risk to the patient or to the health professional. However, virtual reality devices and immersion in virtual environments still requires some improvement as complaints such as headaches and nausea are still common among users, and so continuous research and development is critical to progress the technology. Emerging Advancements for Virtual and Augmented Reality in Healthcare synthesizes the trends, best practices, methodologies, languages, and tools used to implement virtual reality and create a positive user experience while also discussing how to implement virtual reality into day-to-day work with a focus on healthcare professionals and related areas. The application possibilities and their impact are transversal to all areas of health and fields such as education, training, surgery, pain management, physical rehabilitation, stroke rehabilitation, phobia therapy, and telemedicine. Covering topics such as mental health treatment and virtual simulations, it is ideal for medical professionals, engineers, computer scientists, researchers, practitioners, managers, academicians, teachers, and students.

There is a tremendous interest among researchers for the development of virtual, augmented reality and games technologies due to their widespread applications in medicine and healthcare. To date the major applications of these technologies include medical simulation, telemedicine, medical and healthcare training, pain control, visualisation aid for surgery, rehabilitation in cases such as stroke, phobia and trauma therapies. Many recent studies have identified the benefits of using Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality or serious games in a variety of medical applications. This research volume on Virtual, Augmented Reality and Serious Games for Healthcare 1 offers an insightful introduction to the theories, development and applications of virtual, augmented reality and digital games technologies in medical and clinical settings and healthcare in general. It is divided into six sections: section one presents a selection of applications in medical education and healthcare management; Section two relates to the nursing training, health literacy and healthy behaviour; Section three presents the applications of Virtual Reality in neuropsychology; Section four includes a number of applications in motor rehabilitation; Section five aimed at therapeutic games for various diseases; and the final section presents the applications of Virtual Reality in healing and restoration. This book is directed to the healthcare professionals, scientists, researchers, professors and the students who wish to explore the applications of virtual, augmented reality and serious games in healthcare further.

This edited book focuses on the role and use of VR for healthcare professions in both health and rehabilitation settings. It is also offers future trends of other emerging technology within medicine and allied health professions. This text draws on expertise of leading medical practitioners and researchers who utilise such VR technologies in their practices to enhance patient/service user outcomes. Research and practical evidence is presented with a strong applied emphasis to further enhance the use VR technologies within the community, the hospital and in education environment(s). The book may also be used to influence policymakers on how healthcare delivery is offered.

Learn best practices for successfully integrating virtual simulation into nursing curriculum Written for students in nurse educator programs, nursing faculty, and other health care educators, Virtual Simulation in Nursing Education unpacks the necessary tools for successful integration of technology into nursing programs. The benefits of virtual simulation in nursing education are innumerable: less expensive, easier to access, and location independent compared with nondigital simulations. Yet the evolving nature of both curricula and technology complicates the implementation of a coherent integration plan. Success requires a coordinated impetus from faculty, administrators, and students to enrich a technologically enhanced learning landscape. With a practical, how-to focus, this book describes the unique dynamics and demands of using virtual simulation as a core teaching method and focuses on the best practices for integrating this technology into the nursing curriculum. The first text to detail systematic strategies for faculty, students, and administrators, Virtual Simulation in Nursing Education examines the most effective teaching methods and activities, discusses challenges and pitfalls to integrating virtual simulation into a curriculum, and examines how learning outcomes are met. With an eye toward motivating students to embrace technology throughout their careers, content illustrates how students can leverage technologies to maximize learning and support practice. Replete with savvy tips from virtual simulation experts, chapters include exemplars that present the models in real-life scenarios, and clinical reasoning questions to reinforce learning. Key Features: Accompanied by an Instructor’s Manual and PowerPoint slides Teaches students of nurse educator programs, nurse educators, and administrators how to successfully use virtual simulation Provides useful tools, best practices, and savvy strategies for integrating technology into the curriculum Includes examples and clinical reasoning questions to reinforce content Demonstrates how students can maximize learning and support practice with virtual simulation technology Provides a firm foundation for students to embrace technology throughout their careers