Development of a VR Training Platform for Active Shooter Incident Preparedness in Healthcare Environments via a Stakeholder-Engaged Process

Healthcare workers face a unique set of challenges during active shooter incidents. Due to job responsibilities and mobility issues, healthcare workers and patients are vulnerable in these types of scenarios. This study aims to develop a VR training platform to prepare healthcare workers for active shooter incidents. To achieve the goals of this study, we went through a collaborative process with stakeholders to identify the unique circumstances for healthcare workers and environments. To achieve the desired characteristics for the platform, we followed a four-component design framework consisting of the development of a representative virtual environment, a behavior-based storyline, interactive features, and an autonomous feedback system. In describing the detailed design of the four components, this paper presents a case study for researchers who are seeking to develop platforms that need user adaption and acceptance.