Harnessing Virtual Reality for Training Care Home Staff in Remote Telehealth Assessments: A Digital Health Innovation.

Abstract

The rise of digital health technologies offers innovative solutions to address the growing demands in healthcare. Within long-term care settings, the shortage of trained staff in essential areas such as swallowing, nutrition, and medication management has been exacerbated by the increasing complexity of care needs. Virtual Reality (VR) is an emerging technology that provides immersive, interactive environments that can enhance training in remote telehealth assessments, reducing gaps in care delivery while meeting the requirements of health professionals.

Objectives: This study investigates the requirements for implementing a Virtual Reality training program tailored for care home staff. The focus is on using VR to improve competencies in remote telehealth assessments in key areas such as swallowing, nutrition, and medication management.

Methods: A mixed-methods approach was used, combining surveys and focus groups with care home staff, Generic Therapy Associate Practitioners (GTAPs), and Allied Health Professionals (AHPs). The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) framework was employed to understand factors influencing the adoption of VR in telehealth training, focusing on perceived usefulness, ease of use, and the integration of digital technologies into clinical workflows.

Results: The findings revealed three key areas: (1) the need for realistic and clinically relevant content in VR training simulations, (2) the importance of ease of use and accessibility to ensure broader adoption of VR, and (3) the role of organizational support, including technological infrastructure and funding, in successful deployment. Participants indicated that VR could bridge training gaps by providing scalable, risk-free simulations that enhance staff confidence in delivering remote telehealth assessments.

Conclusion: Virtual Reality presents a transformative opportunity in digital health education, particularly in equipping care home staff to conduct remote telehealth assessments. By leveraging VR's immersive capabilities, integrated health and social care can advance towards more efficient, scalable, and effective training solutions. The successful integration of this digital tool will depend on addressing both technological and organizational barriers, paving the way for broader implementation across healthcare systems.