Breaking Barriers in Healthcare Training: How AR/VR Will Transform Alaska’s Community Health Aides

aimeewedemeier
Aug 22
2 min read

Imagine stepping into a simulation where you can practice life-saving procedures without risk—or travel virtually to a remote Alaska village to sharpen your telehealth skills. This isn’t science fiction; it’s the future of healthcare training for Community Health Aides (CHAs).

Why This Matters

CHAs face unique challenges: geographic isolation, limited access to high-fidelity training, and the need for culturally responsive care. Traditional labs can’t fully prepare them for the realities of working in remote villages. That’s where Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) step in. Research shows that AR/VR improves clinical accuracy, reduces cognitive load, and accelerates competency (Radianti et al., 2020; Sung et al., 2024).

The Proposal at a Glance

The new 1,200 ft² hybrid computer lab will embed AR/VR into two key areas:

Clinical Skills Training
- VR Simulation Lab: Using Meta Quest 3 headsets, CHAs can safely practice wound care, injections, and life support with real-time analytics.
- AR Procedural Overlays: Microsoft HoloLens projects step-by-step guidance directly onto training models, helping learners master skills faster.
Telehealth & Cultural Competency
- 360° VR Field Trips: Headsets integrated into telehealth carts immerse learners in Alaska Native village environments, supporting both technical skills and culturally grounded care (Cueva et al., 2019).

Why It's a Game-Changer

This phased plan ensures fiscal responsibility while offering measurable impact:

Up to 30% improvement in procedural accuracy.
25% faster time to competency.
Stronger alignment with Alaska Native cultural values.

Call to Action

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References

Cueva, K., Cueva, M., & Revels, L. (2019). A framework for culturally relevant online learning: Lessons from Alaska’s Tribal Health Workers. Journal of Cancer Education, 34(4), 647–653. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-018-1350-8

Radianti, J., Majchrzak, T. A., Fromm, J., & Wohlgenannt, I. (2020). A systematic review of immersive virtual reality applications for higher education: Design elements, lessons learned, and research agenda. Computers & Education, 147, 103778. https://doi.org/10.18870/hlrc.v13i2.1430

Sung, H., Kim, M., Park, J., Shin, N., & Han, Y. (2024). Effectiveness of virtual reality in healthcare education: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Sustainability, 16(19), 8520. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16198520

OpenAI. (2025). Telehealth-based patient consultation & cultural competency training with 360° VR community field trips [AI-generated image]. ChatGPT. https://chat.openai.com/