Lessons learned from a pandemic influenza triage exercise

Article Review
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Article Review
Introduction
This paper reviews an article written by Jaishree Beedasay and Rameshsharma under the title, “Lessons learned from a pandemic influenza triage exercise in a 3D interactive multiuser virtual learning environment–Play2Train.” The main aim of the publication is to show the effectiveness of a virtual triage exercise in improving preparedness competencies and interactions of medical teams in a pandemic influenza scenario. The virtual activity had specific aims like to improve the skills and knowledge of participants on how to recognize and respond to outbreaks of highly contagious diseases, Stimulate interactions among the participants by demonstrating the need for coordination and teamwork, apply lessons from the exercise to improve preparedness planning, to increase awareness concerning the pandemic flu and lastly to assess the utility of the innovative training approach through Play2Train, an online MultiUser Virtual Learning Environment (MUVLE).
Discussion
Multimedia engineers, professionals in the emergency preparedness domain, and evaluators designed and developed the virtual exercise. This team came up with the scenario, trained participants for the virtual exercise, created the virtual resources as well as the learning environment, then developed evaluation tools, and administered them. Nineteen participants located in various cities of South East Idaho, U.S., were included in the virtual exercise. They comprised medical staff from a minor hospital in South East Idaho, as well as first responders, firefighters, and community volunteers. The scenario had a triage set up in a surge layout within the grounds of a virtual hospital dealing with a pandemic flu outbreak. Moreover, reports and health organizat...