Video game lets docs rescue 'patients'

A virtual game to teach junior doctors about patient deterioration has been developed by County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust and gaming manufacturer Blitz Games Studios.

The trust approached the company because it wanted to improve its training for newly qualififed doctors.

The 'Patient Rescue' simulation was paid for by Blitz Games and a grant from the Technology Strategy Board, a UK-wide innovation agency.

Blitz Games strategy and business development director Mary Matthews presented the development at a conference on medical simulation in Birmingham and told eHealth Insider that it was developed with direct input from clinicians.

"They came to us after seeing something we had done previously, in which a virtual person died of blood loss. They wanted to know what could be done to help train doctors on patient deterioration."

Patient Rescue lets newly qualified doctors experience a range of symptoms and illnesses without compromising patient safety.

It features a number of virtual patients, who present with various data, including temperature, respiration, pulse, blood pressure and test results.

The doctor's task is to assess and monitor the patient's condition and decide how to treat each case.

The patient's condition either improves or deteriorates depending on the decisions made. The improvement or deterioration is shown through a realistic visual of the patient and thier physical condition.

The 'patients' sweat, turn pale or grey, and display laboured breathing, listlessness or distress. The game ends when the patient either improves to a sufficient level, or dies.

All the medical data was supplied by clinicians at the trust. All the information and the decisions made by the doctor are recorded and available for feedback following the exercise.

Matthews said the game is currently at prototype stage, and investment is being sought to take the game further.

Read more about the latest in medical simulation in Insight.