Currently healthcare practitioners use patient simulators such as actors, mannequins, and computer based simulations for learning and training. Human actors cannot portray certain medical conditions [1], and sometimes they are hard to recruit (e.g. infants, children). Mannequins have a static appearance and could not provide dynamic visuals cues (e.g. facial expressions, skin color) [2]. Computer-based simulators are typically rendered on a flat screen limiting the touch stimuli a participant could receive from the patient. Healthcare educators try to compensate for the lack of the simulator’s capabilities by providing verbal “hints” or by using hybrid simulations (e.g. combine a mannequin and a computer screen) to compensate for the missing cues, but this can reduce the fidelity and realism of the simulation. High-fidelity human simulation might positively impact a high level of cognitive and clinical skills acquisition [3], has a potential to support and affect the development of clinical judgment [4]. More realism increases attention and retention [5]. The closer the realism is to clinical reality, the easier it is for participants to engage in the simulation scenario [6]. In 3D virtual environments, co-locating haptic cues with visuals cues greatly improves performance, and are linked to eliciting sense of presence [7,8].
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