Understanding the potential of Mixed Reality simulation training for the management of ‘Can’t Intubate -Can’t Oxygenate’ emergencies

Overall, the mixed-reality CICO simulations that we developed appear to have created a simulation with an appropriate high level of fidelity, with immersion and authenticity. An important aspect of our simulations was that they also appeared to have sufficient fidelity to replicate the thought processes of real world experience.

The recommendation to increase auditory fidelity through the addition of background noise has the potential to increase the level of immersion and authenticity, with the creation of escalating levels of stress. The optimum level of this additional auditory fidelity to supplement the visual fidelity is uncertain.

Our findings from this feasibility study have encouraged us to continue to develop and research the use of mixed-reality simulation training for the management of CICO emergencies, with the further development of increased auditory fidelity and research on evoked stress and comparison across different scenarios. The study population was small but our findings have potential relevance to inform the development of similar future simulations in other contexts and to stimulate further research, especially since no similar studies were identified.