Optimal Healing Environment Design Tool
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VA Clinic (Kamishibai) Scenario
Optimal Healing Environment Design Tool
Led by Dr. Cheryl Lacasse, the Optimal Healing Environment Design learning activity is being developed into a 3D virtual simulation. An integral part of current nursing practice and healthcare systems leadership, students in the UA's online Nursing Clinical Systems Leadership program are introduced to the design of healing environments in the program's Healing Environments and Practices course. In addition to the traditional 2D exercise that is embedded in the course, students are encouraged to try out this new 3D version of the activity as a supplement to their learning. The 3D version of the activity provides students with an engaging opportunity to “walk in” to a hospital room and change various aspects of the care environment.
VA Clinic (Kamishibai) Scenario
The VA Clinic scenario allows students to enter a virtual clinic as an administrator and make choices to handle a crisis situation involving a disgruntled patient. The user user must traverse the clinic, interact with other clinic administrators, and decide on a plan of action to deal with the crisis. Multiple endings are available depending on the choices of the user.
DISCLAIMER: In this scenario, we have tried to be as inclusive as possible in terms of race and gender to emulate a real-life scenario that took place. Please be aware that these aspects were randomly assigned, and these characters are not meant to represent any specific races.
Getting Started
The applications are available for download on either the Windows or Mac platforms. Please note that the downloads are significant in size so be aware that it may take some time to download the packages. Additionally, 3D applications naturally require a significant amount of processing power so an older machine may encounter difficulties when attempting to run the programs. Modern computers that are not "gaming machines" should be able to handle the application though in some cases you might need to tune down the graphical settings.
Web Clients
Optimal Healing Environment Design Tool
The Optimal Healing Environment Design Tool can be accessed in a web browser via SIMMER.io. Due to the size of the application, the page may take longer than usual to load depending on your available bandwidth.
Refreshing the page will trigger the application to re-download. Consider using the native clients below to avoid excessive downloads.
Access via Simmer Access via Simmer (Experimental)VA Clinic (Kamishibai) Scenario
The VA Clinic Scenario can be accessed in a web browser via SIMMER.io. Due to the size of the application, the page may take longer than usual to load depending on your available bandwidth.
Refreshing the page will trigger the application to re-download. Consider using the native clients below to avoid excessive downloads.
Access via SimmerNative Clients – Download & Installation
Optimal Healing Environment Design Tool (Windows)
- Click the download link below and login with your UArizona NetID.
- After logging in, locate and click the Download button to download the application installer. This may take some time depending on your connection speed.
- When the download is complete, find and run the OHE_Installer.exe installer (typically in the Downloads folder).
- You may receive a warning from Windows regarding the "unrecognized app". Click the More Info button and then Run anyway.
- Follow the prompts to install the application on your computer. Note that there is an option to create a desktop shortcut so that it is easier to find and run the application after installation is complete.
VA Clinic (Kamishibai) Scenario (Windows)
- Click the download link below and login with your UArizona NetID.
- After logging in, locate and click the Download button to download the application installer. This may take some time depending on your connection speed.
- When the download is complete, find and run the VA_Clinic_Installer.exe installer (typically in the Downloads folder).
- You may receive a warning from Windows regarding the "unrecognized app". Click the More Info button and then Run anyway.
- Follow the prompts to install the application on your computer. Note that there is an option to create a desktop shortcut so that it is easier to find and run the application after installation is complete.
Optimal Healing Environment Design Tool (Mac)
- Click the download link below and login with your UArizona NetID.
- After logging in, locate and click the Download button to download the application. This may take some time depending on your connection speed.
- When the download is complete, find and run the Optimal Healing Environment Design application (it's typically in a folder named "Downloads").
- If you do not see Optimal Healing Environment Design but instead see OHE.zip, double click the .ZIP file to first unarchive the application.
- It is likely that you will encounter one or two additional prompts depending on the settings of your machine:
- If asked "Are you sure you want to open it?", confirm with Open.
- If presented with "... can't be opened because it is from an unidentified developer", go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General and allow the application to run by clicking Open Anyway in the lower half of the dialog.
VA Clinic (Kamishibai) Scenario (Mac)
- Click the download link below and login with your UArizona NetID.
- After logging in, locate and click the Download button to download the application. This may take some time depending on your connection speed.
- When the download is complete, find and run the VA_Clinic application (it's typically in a folder named "Downloads").
- If you do not see VA_Clinic but instead see VA_Clinic.zip, double click the .ZIP file to first unarchive the application.
- It is likely that you will encounter one or two additional prompts depending on the settings of your machine:
- If asked "Are you sure you want to open it?", confirm with Open.
- If presented with "... can't be opened because it is from an unidentified developer", go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General and allow the application to run by clicking Open Anyway in the lower half of the dialog.
Adjusting Graphical Settings
A configuration dialog will appear where you can adjust the settings of the application. If you are unsure what settings your machine can handle, we recommend starting with a resolution around 1024x768 to 1280x800 and the graphics quality set to Low. Checking the Windowed checkbox will prevent the app from opening in full screen mode. Advanced users are encouraged to adjust the settings as they see fit. You will not see a tremendous change in visual quality by switching to a higher graphical setting.
User Controls
Within the activity, you control a single character via your mouse and keyboard. To "look around", use the mouse. You can move your character using the W, A, S, and D keys on your keyboard. Note that the WASD keys move your character relative to the current direction that you are facing. You interact with the environment and its inhabitants by clicking. To access the menu and exit, hit the TAB key.
Adjusting the Camera (i.e. looking around)
Use the mouse to "look around." Note that the exact direction you are facing is denoted in the activity by a crosshair in the center of the screen. You will also use this crosshair in tandem with a mouse click to interact with objects and individuals in the environment.
Navigating the Environment (i.e. moving around)
Use the W, A, S, and D keys to move your character around the environment:
- W: step forward
- A: step left
- S: step backward
- D: step right
Note that movement is relative to the direction you are facing. Additionally, moving in a direction does not effect the camera (where you are looking) so it is possible to move and look independently.
Interacting with the Environment (i.e. changing things)
You can and are encouraged to explore the environment and click on objects to manipulate their properties or get feedback from them. As you move around, orange labels will appear when you get close enough and indicate that an interaction is available. Aim the crosshair at the label and click with your mouse to interact with the object. The crosshair will turn red when you are aiming at an available interaction. Different objects support different interactions. For example, some allow you to change their color while others allow you to cycle through a predefined set of appearances. In the VA Clinic scenario, interactions advance the narrative or allow for a choice to be made.
Exiting or Resetting the Environment
Press the TAB key to bring up a menu dialog. From here, you can "Restart" the environment or "Quit". Note that restarting the activity will clear all of the modifications you have made.
Take a Screenshot
As with any application, you can take a screenshot of your current view to share in a discussion board or posting by using your computer's onboard screen capture mechanism. On Windows, this is the Print Screen button. On Mac, use COMMAND+SHIFT+3.
Troubleshooting & FAQs
To share a screenshot of your healing environment, use your computer's onboard screen capture functionality. For Windows machines, use the Print Screen button. On Mac, use COMMAND+SHIFT+3 or COMMAND+SHIFT+4. The produced screenshots are usually stored on the Desktop for easy access and use in a discussion board or document.
Some machines may encounter difficulty when trying to run this 3D application. Try reducing your graphical settings by selecting a lower resolution or graphics quality to improve performance of the simulation. The application itself does not require a network connection beyond the initial download so connection speed/bandwidth will not effect performance.
As with any new software, there are numerous bugs and glitches that may present themselves while you are exploring. Please take note of the abnormality and report it in the appropriate D2L discussion board. If you find yourself in an unrecoverable state, restart the environment or exit the application.
No, the application is only supported on Windows and Mac computers.
Support
For assistance with accessing, downloading, or starting up the applications, contact LHTI:
Email: CON-ServiceDesk@arizona.edu
Phone: 520-626-4357
Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding University holidays.