Introduction

How is ViRTUE used?

ViRTUE is operated by two people: an operator controls the software on the PC while the user works through simulated patient visits with the VR headset, training their hand hygiene in the process. A training session lasts around 20 to 30 minutes and needs a freely walkable space of at least 3.5 × 5.25 metres.

Requirements

ViRTUE is a desktop-VR application (PCVR): the software runs on a Windows PC, and the VR headset serves purely as a display. Even standalone headsets such as the Meta Quest or Pico are connected to the PC for this purpose.

To use ViRTUE you need a room with a freely walkable area of at least 3.5 × 5.25 metres (2.5 × 4.25 metres without the safety margin). That corresponds to the smallest of the three recommended scenarios.

You’ll find detailed recommendations on room size and on setting up the virtual play space under Set up play space.

In terms of hardware, you need:

• a Windows PC that meets the system requirements,
• a SteamVR-compatible VR headset with hand controllers,
• and, for a wireless VR headset, a powerful Wi-Fi router as well.

To learn which hardware is suitable and what to watch out for, read Hardware.

How a training session works

The software is operated by two people:

• Operator: knows the ViRTUE software and controls it from the PC.
• User: wears the VR headset and controllers and carries out the patient visits in the virtual environment.

A training session lasts about 20 to 30 minutes in total, depending on how many patient visits are carried out. The flow is always the same:

1. Tutorial: The user gets familiar with the controllers and the VR environment and practises the most important interactions of the patient visit.
2. Patient visits: The user carries out one or more simulated visits, applying the rules of hand hygiene as they go.
3. Review: After individual visits or at the end of the training, the results are discussed and any mistakes are analysed in replay mode if needed.

To see how the two roles work together, read Two-person model. The flow of a patient visit is described in From the user's view and From the operator's view.

What you’ll find in this wiki

This wiki explains

• which hardware you need for ViRTUE (Hardware),
• how to set up the virtual-reality environment (Set up VR hardware),
• how to get the ViRTUE app up and running and configure it (Start ViRTUE),
• and what the patient visit is all about (Theory vs practice).