Logo
ScienceStack
Table of Contents
Fetching ...
Sign In

When Seconds Count: Designing Real-Time VR Interventions for Stress Inoculation Training in Novice Physicians

Shuhao Zhang, Jiahe Dong, Haoran Wang, Chang Jiang, Quan Li

TL;DR

This paper tackles cognitive overload in novice physicians during high-stakes surgical emergencies by developing a VR-based Stress Inoculation Training (VR-SIT) platform augmented with a Just-In-Time Adaptive Intervention (JITAI). Through formative focus groups (N=12) and a user study (N=26) in a post-thyroidectomy neck hematoma scenario, it identifies three real-time support channels—self-regulation aids, procedure guidance, and emotional/sensory support—and demonstrates how a cognition-aware VR system can deliver personalized, minimally disruptive interventions. Results show improved task performance, faster cognitive recovery, and nuanced improvements in subjective experience, with qualitative evidence of transferable stress-regulation skills. The study outlines design principles for next-generation VR medical training that integrates real-time cognitive support, potentially enabling scalable, self-regulated learning in crisis contexts.

Abstract

Surgical emergencies often trigger acute cognitive overload in novice physicians, impairing their decision-making under pressure. Although Virtual Reality-based Stress Inoculation Training (VR-SIT) shows promise, current systems fall short in delivering real-time, effective support during moments of peak stress. To bridge this gap, we first conducted a formative study (N=12) to uncover the core needs of novice physicians for immediate assistance under acute stress and identified three key intervention strategies: self-regulation aids, procedure guidance, and emotional/sensory support. Building on these insights, we designed and implemented a novel VR-SIT system that incorporates a just-in-time adaptive intervention framework, dynamically tailoring support to learners' cognitive and emotional states. We then validated these strategies in a user study (N=26). Our findings provide empirical evidence and design implications for next-generation VR medical training systems, supporting physicians in sustaining cognitive clarity and accurate decision-making in critical situations.

When Seconds Count: Designing Real-Time VR Interventions for Stress Inoculation Training in Novice Physicians

TL;DR

This paper tackles cognitive overload in novice physicians during high-stakes surgical emergencies by developing a VR-based Stress Inoculation Training (VR-SIT) platform augmented with a Just-In-Time Adaptive Intervention (JITAI). Through formative focus groups (N=12) and a user study (N=26) in a post-thyroidectomy neck hematoma scenario, it identifies three real-time support channels—self-regulation aids, procedure guidance, and emotional/sensory support—and demonstrates how a cognition-aware VR system can deliver personalized, minimally disruptive interventions. Results show improved task performance, faster cognitive recovery, and nuanced improvements in subjective experience, with qualitative evidence of transferable stress-regulation skills. The study outlines design principles for next-generation VR medical training that integrates real-time cognitive support, potentially enabling scalable, self-regulated learning in crisis contexts.

Abstract

Surgical emergencies often trigger acute cognitive overload in novice physicians, impairing their decision-making under pressure. Although Virtual Reality-based Stress Inoculation Training (VR-SIT) shows promise, current systems fall short in delivering real-time, effective support during moments of peak stress. To bridge this gap, we first conducted a formative study (N=12) to uncover the core needs of novice physicians for immediate assistance under acute stress and identified three key intervention strategies: self-regulation aids, procedure guidance, and emotional/sensory support. Building on these insights, we designed and implemented a novel VR-SIT system that incorporates a just-in-time adaptive intervention framework, dynamically tailoring support to learners' cognitive and emotional states. We then validated these strategies in a user study (N=26). Our findings provide empirical evidence and design implications for next-generation VR medical training systems, supporting physicians in sustaining cognitive clarity and accurate decision-making in critical situations.
Paper Structure (62 sections, 13 figures, 3 tables)

This paper contains 62 sections, 13 figures, 3 tables.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Related Work
  3. Stress Management Paradigms
  4. VR for SIT
  5. Real-time Intervention in HCI
  6. From User State Awareness to Cognition-Aware Computing
  7. The Design Space of Interventions and Its Critical Contextual Gap
  8. Formative Study
  9. Setup
  10. First Focus Group: Novice Physicians
  11. Stage 1: Identification of Acute Stressors
  12. Stage 2: Analysis of Stress Responses and Coping Challenges
  13. Stage 3: Co-Design Workshop
  14. Second Focus Group: Senior Physicians
  15. Stage One: Validation and Deepening of Stressors and Challenges
  16. ...and 47 more sections

Figures (13)

  • Figure 1: Procedure of formative study.
  • Figure 2: One storyboard illustrating Ch1: Cognitive Freeze.
  • Figure 3: Some outputs from our co-design workshop(VP1&VP5).
  • Figure 4: The task workflow.
  • Figure 5: An integrated Self-Regulation Aids interface displaying Breathing Guidance and Stress Feedback.
  • ...and 8 more figures