Award-winning educator to explore virtual reality technology in revolutionizing healthcare training
Dr. Anita Acai is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences and a Scientist with the McMaster Education Research, Innovation and Theory (MERIT) Program. She is also an Associate Member of the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour at McMaster University, as well as an Education Scientist at St. Joseph’s Education & Research Centre (SERC).
An important focus of Acai’s research work has involved addressing healthcare challenges through education. As the 2024 Petro-Canada Young Innovator Award winner, she will expand on this work with a pilot study to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of VR training, specifically targeting improvements in knowledge and confidence levels among hospital learners and staff in managing violent incidents.
“Dr. Acai is making an impact as an education researcher. Her expertise in quantitative and qualitative methodologies allows her to meaningfully tackle the complex and messy problems facing health professions education. MERIT and the McMaster community benefit from her collaborations,” said Jonathan Sherbino, Assistant Dean of McMaster Education Research, Innovation & Theory (MERIT) Program.
Recognizing the need for innovative solutions to address “code white” challenges Acai and her team, which includes Drs. Gary Chaimowitz and Azim Gangji, are launching this collaborative study between St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton (SJHH), the St. Joseph’s Education & Research Centre (SERC) and the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University that will explore the potential of virtual reality (VR) technology in revolutionizing code white training in the hospital setting.
“The mission of St. Joseph’s Education & Research Centre (SERC) is to advance hospital-based education research, showcasing St. Joe’s as a leader in education and education scholarship,” said Azim Gangji, Vice President Education St Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. “We are grateful to have Dr. Acai as SERC’s inaugural education scientist. This award highlights her accomplishments and creates opportunities for learners to continue contributing to impactful and innovative work in the healthcare setting.”
The team has collaborated with an educational technology company to create immersive VR scenarios tailored for training purposes. These scenarios facilitate lifelike, interactive experiences between the user and the virtual environment. With a VR headset and controllers, users will have the freedom to navigate through virtual settings, encountering simulated patients with whom they can interact.
Acai will lean on her established role as a student mentor and leader to include a significant student voice in this work. Her leadership contributions to the scholarship of teaching and learning, particularly in students-as-partners work, have garnered national and international recognition.
“Student partnership is incredibly important to us at McMaster,” said Lori Goff, Director of the MacPherson Institute, “Anita Acai already has an impressive history as a flourishing leader and as an award-winning mentor to more than 60 students in various capacities in just a few years as a faculty member. We are thrilled to see her bring this enthusiasm for partnership to an innovative virtual reality research project that could have a direct impact on the student learning experience.”
Funds from the award provide an opportunity for researchers to garner student participation in a research activity that generates campus-wide recognition for innovative research achievement. The award is financed through a $250,000 endowment provided by Petro-Canada, and a matching annual contribution provided by McMaster University’s Office of the Vice-President Research. Each Faculty is invited to submit one nomination.
To learn more about past winners and their funded projects, visit the Petro-Canada Young Innovator Award webpage.
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