Intelligent Health.tech Issue 24 | Page 58

VIRTUAL / AUGMENTED REALITY

NEW IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE IGNITES YOUTH ’ S INTEREST IN HEALTH CARE CAREERS

With the US Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting the need for healthcare workers to grow five times more than the national average , the nation faces an urgent need to invest in its healthcare workforce . Ageing populations and a rise in chronic diseases are driving an increasing demand for doctors , nurses and other skilled healthcare roles .

One of the nation ’ s largest health systems , AdventHealth , is taking proactive steps to bridge this gap by engaging the next generation in STEM and health carerelated fields through large-scale immersive entertainment and high-tech experiential education .
As part of this strategy , AdventHealth designed a new 11,000-square-foot immersive showcase that features hands-on interaction , including high-tech simulation labs , virtual and mixed reality stations , and custom health careinspired video games , designed to showcase the wide range of exciting careers available in health care . teamwork in medical and business settings .
• Musical experience : Music synchronised with attendees ’ heartbeats emphasises the unity and teamwork of being part of a larger team like AdventHealth .
• Wholeness sphere : A visual centerpiece that represents the global presence at the event and the interconnectedness that exists across nations .
“ We ’ ve long engaged young people through school-based programmes and activities in our communities and knew we needed to keep innovating . Captivating kids ’ imagination through interactive fun and exploration is a major leap in that strategy ,” said Olesea Azevedo , Chief Administrative Officer and Chief People Officer for AdventHealth . “ By sparking an interest in healthcare careers early on , we ’ re investing in the future of healthcare . We want to show them the myriad of opportunities available , in addition to being doctors and nurses , and help them see how their unique talents can contribute to this exciting and challenging field .”
“ To be able to get hands-on experience has really opened my eyes to what healthcare workers do to provide care for their patients . This really made me appreciate their role a lot more ,” added teen attendee , David Haye , who said he ’ s interested in being a surgeon or EMT . “ It ’ s made me want to pursue a career in healthcare .” �
The experience debuted this week to 60,000 attendees of the International Pathfinder Camporee , an event organised by the Seventh-day Adventist Church , who gathered in Wyoming for a week of activities , honours classes , friendly skills competitions and community service .
Highlights of AdventHealth ’ s new experience :
• Simulation Labs : Hands-on Virtual Reality experiences allow attendees to perform medical procedures in a controlled , realistic environment .
• Augmented Reality stations : AR stations immerse attendees in what it looks like to be a health care professional .
• Custom video games : Engaging games that highlight various health care roles and the importance of
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