In the dynamic field of Surgical Technology education, Palm Beach State College stands out, largely thanks to educators like Jo Lana Cota. In our recent conversation with Jo Lana Cota, she reveals an insightful journey into how the integration of PeriopSim VR is revolutionizing student engagement and learning.

We had the privilege of conversing with Alvin Lawson, CSFA, Surgical Services Education Coordinator, and Perioperative Educator at Lake Regional Health System. With a remarkable background in surgical technology dating back to 1991 and certification as a Surgical First Assistant in 2002, Alvin is at the forefront of surgical education.

Supported by the unwavering dedication of Director of Peri-Operative Services Sarah Green, they've embarked on a groundbreaking journey into the realm of Virtual Reality Simulation training, reshaping the landscape of surgical education. As Alvin shared invaluable insights, we spotlight the pivotal role of PeriopSim VR in their pursuit of surgical excellence. Join us as we delve into this captivating narrative of transformation and learning in the realm of healthcare.

Let’s talk about motion sickness: it can sometimes be a problem for a small percentage of people when they put on a headset and enter a VR experience. It can also be a debatable situation as we’ll discuss further down. Unfortunately, a lot of people have had past experiences in VR that weren’t the most optimal. From that epic rollercoaster ride that was poorly edited, to crawling on a plank thousands of feet above the ground, we can all understand why some people express hesitancy when entering VR. 

One of the most frequently asked questions we receive is “How do we cast what the VR user is seeing to an external monitor?”.  When casting from your headset, the VR user can share what they see in VR wirelessly, making it a more inclusive experience for all involved. The VR view will appear on the external device you choose, allowing a user to share their VR experience in real-time.  

As in any operating room environment, or classroom for that matter, one of the most critical areas to pay attention to is sanitization. Running a VR training program means that sharing is often involved. There’s no getting around the fact that everyone is covered in sweat and oil. Because of this, it’s important to keep the headsets as clean as possible.

We sat down and asked Educator Jessica Reed from Indianapolis, Indiana a few questions and this is what she had to say.  

Implementing a VR training component to your lab can be a daunting process to the uninformed, so we’re here to help you with deciding what type of headset is right for your program.