The Effectiveness and Usability of an Immersive Virtual-Reality (IVR) Imminent Birth Program

INTERVENTION: This pilot study aims to examine the effectiveness and usability of conducting the Imminent Birth (IB) Program with immersive virtual reality (IVR). We are comparing the outcomes from the IVR version of the program to those from the traditional face‐to‐face version of the program. 1. Online pre‐reading ‐ The existing Imminent Birth Program has an online, evidence based course for participants to access for pre‐reading prior to attending a face to face workshop. The reading consists of four modules: 1. Promoting Normal Birth; 2. Rural and Remote Practice; 3. Labour and Birth; and 4. When Problems Arise. These modules provide a review of normal female anatomy and physiology of pregnancy, the birthing process, recognising deviations from normal and appropriate referral pathways. The pre‐reading material is available via the iLearn platform and accessible through Queensland Health to all students on placement. The modules include readings, short videos and quizzes to assess learning. The student participants will complete the online component over a four hour period prior to the simulation scenarios. A variation has been made from the existing Imminent Birth program in order to deliver the RCT in a single day format. Therefore, whereas the existing IB program involves a content review to bridge the gap in time between the pre reading and the simulation workshops, this is not applicable as pre‐reading is completed immediately prior to simulation. 2. Practice scenarios ‐ The Imminent Birth Program includes simulation of a low risk vaginal birth, enabling each student to have the opportunity to demonstrate the skills required to assist with a normal birth. The simulation activity aims to elicit skills including summoning appropriate help, assessing the CONDITION: Childbirth; ; Childbirth Reproductive Health and Childbirth ‐ Childbirth and postnatal care PRIMARY OUTCOME: Assess the usability of Immersive Virtual Reality as an educational tool using a System Usability Scale (SUS)..[At the end of the workshop.] Evaluate the modality of Immersive Virtual Reality as an alternative delivery option, using qualitative focus groups interviews which will be audio recorded.[At the end of the workshop.] Knowledge gained for the control face to face group and the intervention immersive virtual reality simulation group, measured using a pre, post and follow up knowledge survey. The survey has been developed using the questions in the online quiz in the existing Imminent Birth online modules via iLearn.[Pre and post workshop and two week follow up survey.] SECONDARY OUTCOME: Self reported confidence in clinical practice achieved between face to face simulation and Immersive Virtual Reality simulation groups measured using the existing Imminent Birth Program confidence survey which will be applied pre, post and at two weeks follow up. [Pre and post workshop and two week follow up survey.] INCLUSION CRITERIA: Eligible participants will be students who are in the final year of their university nursing degree program.