Immersive multi-user decision training games with ARLearn

Serious gaming approaches so far focus mainly on skill development, motivational aspects or providing immersive learning situations. Little work has been reported to foster awareness and decision competencies in complex deci-sion situations involving incomplete information and multiple stakeholders. We address this issue exploring the technical requirements and possibilities to de-sign games for such situations in three case studies: a hostage taking situation, a multi-stakeholder logistics case, and a health-care related emergency case. To implement the games, we use a multi-user enabled mobile game development platform (ARLearn). We describe the underlying real world situations and edu-cational challenges and analyse how these are reflected in the ARLearn games realized. Based on these cases we propose a way to increase the immersiveness of mobile learning games.SALOM

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Performance and Perceptions: Use of a Handheld, Computerized, Decision Making Aid During Critical Events in a High-fidelity Human Simulation Environment

With the increasing focus on patient safety and human error, understanding how practitioners make decisions during critical incidents is important. Despite the move towards evidence-based practice, research shows that much decision making is based on intuition and heuristics (“rules of thumb”). The purpose of this study was to examine and evaluate the methodologic feasibility of a strategy for comparing traditional cognition versus the use of algorithms programmed on a personal digital assistant (FDA) in the management of unanticipated critical events by certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs). A combined qualitative-quantitative methodology was utilized. The quantitative element consists of a pilot study using a cross-over trial design. Two case scenarios were carried out in a full-scale, high fidelity, simulated anesthesia care delivery environment. Four subjects participated in both scenarios, one without and one with a PDA containing a catalog of approximately 30 events with diagnostic and treatment related information in second scenario. Audio—videotaping of the scenarios allowed for definitive descriptive analysis of items of interest, including time to correct diagnosis and definitive intervention. The qualitative approach consisted of a phenomenological investigation of problem solving and perceptions of FDA use and the simulation experience by the participants using “think aloud” and retrospective verbal reports, semi-structured group interviews, and written evaluations. Qualitative results revealed that participants found the PDA algorithms useful despite some minor technical difficulties and the simulated environment and case scenarios realistic, but also described feelings of expectation, anxiety, and pressure. Problem solving occurred in a hypothetico-deductive manner. More hypotheses were considered when using the PDA. Time to correct diagnosis and treatment varied by scenario, taking less time with the PDA for one but taking longer with the PDA for the other, likely due to differences in pace and intensity of the two scenarios. The methodologic investigation revealed several areas for improvement including more precise control of case scenarios. All participants agreed with the value of using high fidelity simulation, particularly for problem solving of critical events, and provided useful information for more effective utilization of this tool for education and research

Use of Mobile Devices to Access Resources Among Health Professions Students: A Systematic Review

This systematic review examines types of mobile devices used by health professions students, kinds of resources and tools accessed via mobile devices, and reasons for using the devices to access the resources and tools. The review included 20 studies selected from articles published in English between January 2010 and April 2015, retrieved from PubMed and other sources. Data extracted included participants, study designs, mobile devices used, mobile resources/apps accessed, outcome measures, and advantages of and barriers to using mobile devices. The review indicates significant variability across the studies in terms of research methods, types of mobile programs implemented, resources accessed, and outcomes. There were beneficial effects of using mobile devices to access resources as well as conspicuous challenges or barriers in using mobile devices

CPR Assistive Device

350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of hospitals each year, 90% of which are fatal. To increase a patient’s chance for survival, adequate bystander CPR must be performed. Existing real-time feedback CPR devices don’t satisfy all criteria in being intuitive, cost-effective, portable, and giving audio and visual feedback. Our final CPR device satisfies all criteria, giving both audio and visual feedback with a 110-bpm metronome and 3 LEDs that correspond to compression depth from acceleration data collected from a 9DF accelerometer. It is portable, intuitive, and costs less than $25. A designed spring box apparatus tested compressions with the device for 100 2-minute compression tests, to prove a 73% success. IRB subject tests show that the device increased CPR confidence in 96% of users

Copyright Consultations Submission

The entertainment software industry is one of the fastest growing market segment in the global economy, with Canada rapidly establishing itself as a world leader in the multi-billion dollar global video game industry. The employment opportunities in this industry, as well as its investments in research and technology are also significant. These investments are not without risk – in the highly competitive industry of video game production the chance of a video game being a commercial failure outweighs the chances of its success. Internet piracy of video game software has also undergone explosive growth and represents a significant problem for the entertainment software industry. Video game piracy drastically reduces the industry\u27s capacity to sustain the enormously high creative costs associated with video game production, potentially leading to lost revenue, lost jobs, or worse. In an effort to protect their products from piracy, the video game industry has implemented various measures, including technological protection measures and other copy protection techniques, yet such measures are not fail-safe and are subject to circumvention. Compounding this problem, copyright law in Canada does not provide sufficient protection. Consequently, the Entertainment Software Association of Canada herein presents ways in which Canadian legislators can use copyright law to reduce piracy. Modernizing copyright law will, in turn, allow for a fair and vibrant marketplace and, in so doing, enhance both Canada‘s competitiveness and the public interest