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Virtual Reality for Caregivers: Resilience Training of the Future!
New EU project XR2ESILIENCE at the Med Uni Graz strengthens the resilience of nursing staff through innovative VR training methods.
Virtual Reality for Caregivers: Resilience Training of the Future!
The psychological strain in the healthcare system is reaching alarming proportions! Around 27 percent of nursing staff show significant deficits in their resilience when it comes to their ability to deal with stressful situations. This led the Medical University of Graz and its partner institutions to launch the EU project XR2ESILIENCE, which pursues innovative approaches to strengthening the mental health of nursing staff. The focus is on the integration of extended reality (XR) technologies, which enable employees to use virtual training environments to specifically improve their resilience, such as medunigraz.at reported.
Innovative training programs to increase resilience
The project aims to provide nurses with not only theory, but also practical tools to promote their mental health in the long term. The development of a three-part training plan that focuses on techniques such as mindfulness and stress management is already well underway. Exciting technologies such as VR glasses are used, with which nursing staff can immerse themselves in relaxing virtual environments. Nina Dalkner, the project manager, explains that participants can, among other things, learn breathing exercises and relaxation techniques through scenarios in virtual nature or on a beach orf.at describes.
In an initial pilot project, a concept has already been successfully developed that not only promotes resilience, but can also be realistically implemented in practice. A room of just three by three meters, a pair of VR glasses and around 15 minutes of time are enough to immerse yourself in an individual training program. The program could also include virtual treatment rooms in which employees can simulate typical work situations in order to experience self-efficacy and be better prepared to face real stressful situations.
The positive impact of such training methods could have far-reaching consequences for the healthcare sector by improving the mental health of staff and thus also combating the current staff shortages in hospitals. This future-oriented project is not only funded by the EU with around €5.95 million, but is also in cooperation with numerous European institutes, which underlines its importance and innovative strength.