Virtual-Reality Training for Pneumothorax Complication Management in Thoracentesis
Thoracentesis is a common bedside procedure to remove pleural fluid. A major complication is iatrogenic pneumothorax (air leaking into the pleural space), which can quickly deteriorate into a life-threatening emergency. For medical residents, the ability to promptly recognize and manage this complication is a core competency, yet exposure during training is limited because such events are rare and unpredictable.
By recreating the cognitive and procedural demands of managing a pneumothorax, this project is intended to provide residents with experiential learning that bridges the gap between theory and real-world crisis management. Virtual reality (VR) offers an opportunity to simulate rare but high-stakes complications in a safe, repeatable, and immersive environment. This project investigates:
- Does VR-based training improve learners’ knowledge and ability to manage pneumothorax during thoracentesis?
- How do learners perceive the usability, engagement, and educational value of VR training for managing this complication?
The simulation in VR was designed with input from clinical experts and structured around a thoracentesis scenario where a tension pneumothorax emerges. The VR environment and interactions were developed in collaboration with CraftXR. Learners interact with patient cues, diagnostic tools, and procedural steps in real time. Integrated analytics capture task accuracy and time to intervention, and post-simulation feedback supports reflection and iterative skill building.
Virtual-reality thoracentesis complication training (Pneumothorax management), developed in collaboration with CraftXR. © CraftXR — used solely for research and non-commercial purposes.