- Thailand introduces a new virtual simulation tool, ER-VIPE, to train healthcare teams in emergency care.
- The tool helps improve teamwork, communication, and patient safety using realistic scenarios.
- Developed by Chulalongkorn University, the programme aims to reduce medical errors and improve outcomes.
Thailand has launched a cutting edge virtual reality tool designed to improve how healthcare professionals train for emergency situations. The new platform, ER-VIPE (Emergency Room – Virtual Interprofessional Education), allows medical teams to practice in a safe and realistic virtual environment, aiming to reduce errors and boost patient safety.
Developed by the Chulalongkorn University Design for Society Center (CUD4S) in collaboration with the Department of Emergency Medicine and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, ER-VIPE is the first tool of its kind in the country. It is designed for doctors, nurses, pharmacists, radiologic technologists, and other healthcare workers to train together as a team in simulated emergency scenarios.
The virtual platform focuses on building non-technical skills such as teamwork, communication, and decision making under pressure. It uses the internationally recognised TeamSTEPPS framework, which enhances performance and patient safety through structured teamwork strategies.
Dr. Khuansiri Narajeenron, Director of Academic Affairs and project leader, describes the programme as a ‘Med-Edutainment Technology’ that combines film based storytelling, online medical courses, and simulation gameplay to create an engaging learning experience.
The need for such training is urgent. Thailand records more than 400,000 cases of unsafe medical care each year, leading to an estimated 9.6 billion baht in economic loss. Globally, deaths due to medical errors are significantly higher than fatalities from plane crashes.
Also Read: The Increasing Impact of Virtual Reality on Nursing Education
ER-VIPE allows healthcare professionals to train without putting real patients at risk. It provides instant feedback and performance analysis through digital tools, helping participants understand their strengths and areas for improvement.
By embracing virtual reality, Thailand is taking a major step toward modernising medical education and ensuring better outcomes in emergency care. The ER-VIPE initiative reflects the growing importance of interprofessional collaboration in healthcare and serves as a model for other countries in Asia and beyond.
