Virtual Reality applied to medical education and training on Diabetic Foot

Diabetic Foot is one of the most common complications of Diabetes Mellitus and the leading non-traumatic cause of lower-limb amputations in the World. These complications are preventable with early diagnosis and timely care. However, even in the context of expanding primary health care, this problem continues to increase, which suggests a gap in the training of primary health care professionals regarding the diagnosis and treatment of Diabetic Foot. This project proposes the development of a simulator with Virtual Reality for training students and professionals in primary health care, aiming to collaborate in filling this gap. The application will be developed using the Unity game engine, optimized for the Oculus Quest platform, and features gamification elements to increase user engagement. The context of medical care in primary care will be simulated with various clinical cases, including several virtual patients with different stages related to the Diabetic Foot, seeking to provide a range of credible and distinct experiences to potential users. We pretend to verify usability, effectiveness, and any side effects (cybersickness). The intention is to conduct field studies with qualified students and professionals to identify the main benefits and obstacles to applying the technology.