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Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health

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  • Innovative infection prevention curriculum uses virtual reality to train students

Innovative infection prevention curriculum uses virtual reality to train students

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

three individuals using virtual reality headsets during training
The IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health in Indianapolis is using innovative training tools like VR simulations to help students identify potential infection risks in health care environments. Liz Kaye, Indiana University

A new initiative at the Indiana University Fairbanks School of Public Health at IU Indianapolis is integrating cutting-edge training tools, including virtual reality simulations, to prepare the next generation of public health professionals to tackle infection prevention and control challenges.

The new program, in collaboration with the National Network of Public Health Institutes, is part of an innovative infection prevention curriculum for Fairbanks’ Master of Public Health program.

Led by faculty members Shandy Dearth and Tom Duszynski, the project enhances existing public health coursework with targeted content on infection prevention, antibiotic resistance and health-care-acquired infections. The curriculum is designed to be adaptable to students in various hospital settings, including rural, urban and suburban communities.

“Infection prevention is a critical component of public health, and this curriculum ensures our students are equipped with the skills and knowledge to address these challenges in real-world settings,” said Duszynski, a clinical assistant professor, MPH program director and epidemiology education director at the Fairbanks School. “By incorporating VR training and real-world case studies, we’re providing a hands-on learning experience that will be invaluable to students entering the workforce.”

A key facet of the project is the creation of a roadmap that other public health schools can use to integrate infection prevention into their own MPH programs. The curriculum highlights the strong overlap between nursing and epidemiology, equipping students with essential, cross-disciplinary skills.

The Fairbanks team has shared its work at multiple national conferences, including the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health, the National Association of County and City Health Officials’ Emergency Preparedness Summit, and the National Network of Public Health Institutes conference. Feedback from these sessions has been overwhelmingly positive, with strong interest in adopting similar training programs nationwide.

“This project goes beyond classroom learning,” said Dearth, director of the Center for Public Health Practice at the Fairbanks School. “We’re leveraging innovative training tools like VR simulations to help students identify potential infection risks in health care environments. This hands-on approach will help bridge the gap between academic learning and practical application.”

As part of the curriculum, the team has developed a Canvas-based training module for faculty, along with a series of instructional videos filmed in real health care settings, including a hospital operating room and a patient room. The use of VR headsets enhances the immersive learning experience, allowing students to engage in realistic infection-control scenarios.

The curriculum also highlights how socio-demographics, geography and clinical factors influence infection control outcomes. The project team conducted faculty reviews and market analysis among MPH graduates to ensure the curriculum meets workforce needs and addresses gaps in infection prevention education.

“This initiative sets a new standard for how we train public health professionals,” Duszynski said. “By making this curriculum accessible and adaptable, we’re not only strengthening our own MPH program but also providing a model that can be implemented nationwide.”

With the support of local hospitals, the infection prevention curriculum represents a significant step forward in preparing public health leaders to prevent and control infections in health care and community settings. The Fairbanks School will continue to evaluate and refine the curriculum, ensuring that it remains responsive to emerging public health challenges.

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