Acceptability and Utility of a Virtual Reality Diabetes‐Related Foot Disease Training Program for First Nations People: A Pragmatic Quasi‐Experimental Case Series Study

OBJECTIVE: To test the utility and acceptability of a novel VR training tool for community health practitioners in assessing diabetes-related foot disease in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. METHODS: The VR program featured five virtual patient models and a range of interactive assessments covering essential clinical and triage skills. DESIGN: Pragmatic quasi-experimental case series. SETTING: The VR training program was completed in collaboration with three Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Organisations in regional South Australia, with recruitment directed internally at each organisation. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-one primary healthcare staff participated, of which 34 were matched on pre- and post-VR surveys and 20 completed at least three training scenarios. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Evaluation consisted of pre-test self-efficacy scores immediately prior to participants undergoing training, submission of post-test self-efficacy scores, the System Usability Scale, and Training Evaluation Inventory scores after completing all training modules. RESULTS: Following completion of VR training, participants reported increased self-efficacy scores (n = 20) for performing key assessment and triage skills. User feedback (n = 39) demonstrated that participants generally agreed that the training user experience was engaging, acceptable, and of value for clinical education. CONCLUSION: Community health practitioners generally found the VR training tool acceptable, useful, and increased their self-confidence in assessing and managing diabetes-related foot disease for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, highlighting the potential of VR to upskill community practitioners.