Chulalongkorn University Unveils ER-VIPE, a Virtual Reality Training Tool to Improve Emergency Care
Chulalongkorn University Unveils ER-VIPE, a Virtual Reality Training Tool to Improve Emergency Care
Bangkok — Chulalongkorn University has launched a new medical education platform that uses virtual reality to train healthcare teams in emergency care, aiming to reduce errors, improve communication, and enhance patient safety.
The initiative, called ER-VIPE (Emergency Room – Virtual Interprofessional Education), was developed by the university’s Design for Society Center (CUD4S) in partnership with the Department of Emergency Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital of the Thai Red Cross Society. It uses simulation technology to prepare doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and radiologic technologists for real-world pressure in treating emergency patients.
The project was introduced alongside an academic forum, “ER-VIPE: Developing Healthcare Teams for Sustainable Patient Safety,” and the TeamSTEPPS Essential and IPE Virtual Simulation Workshop held earlier this month at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. The event was led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chanchai Sittipunt, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Director of the hospital.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Khuansiri Narajeenron, the project leader and Director of Academic Affairs at the Department of Emergency Medicine, described ER-VIPE as “Med-Edutainment Technology,” blending film-based inspiration, online medical coursework, and interactive simulation gameplay. The design uses the TeamSTEPPS framework, which promotes strategies and tools to strengthen performance and patient safety through interprofessional collaboration.
“Patient care doesn’t depend on who is the most skilled—it depends on how well the team works together,” Dr. Khuansiri said. “Most medical errors are caused not by lack of knowledge, but by poor teamwork.”
The program addresses a pressing national challenge. Thailand reports more than 400,000 unsafe medical care cases annually, leading to economic losses exceeding 9.6 billion baht. Globally, deaths from medical errors are estimated to occur at a rate 10,000 times higher than airplane crashes.
Early findings suggest that ER-VIPE can reduce medical errors by an average of 3.5 cases per month, cut patient deaths by 2.3 cases monthly, and increase patient satisfaction by nearly one percent each month. Participants train in a safe, virtual setting and receive detailed performance feedback through digital monitoring tools.
The program has already been piloted in five hospitals, showing a 28 percent improvement in communication, 38 fewer critical errors in emergency scenarios, and a significant reduction in staff burnout. Dr. Tatsawan Preedawiphat, Director of CUD4S, said the initiative demonstrates how design can go beyond physical structures to create systems that improve people’s lives.
The launch also marked the first national policy forum bringing together leaders from nine major health organizations, including the Medical Council of Thailand, the Nursing Council, the Pharmacy Council, and the Radiological Technology Council. Other participants included the Division of Medical Facilities under the Ministry of Public Health, the College of Emergency Physicians of Thailand, the Hospital Administrators Association, and the Healthcare Accreditation Institute.
The organizations collectively emphasized that communication breakdowns and fragmented systems, rather than individual incompetence, are the leading causes of errors. They endorsed wider adoption of TeamSTEPPS and interprofessional collaboration principles across health service plans, professional training, and hospital accreditation standards.
The panel proposed a nationwide rollout under the vision of “Zero Harm 2030,” which would see ER-VIPE integrated into healthcare curricula, professional training programs, and continuing education frameworks. They also urged government support to provide resources and policy backing for sustained improvements in patient safety and workforce well-being.
Chulalongkorn University, which ranks among the world’s top 50 institutions for graduate employment outcomes, has maintained its position as Thailand’s leading university for 15 consecutive years. In the latest QS World University Rankings, it rose to 211th globally from 244th the year before.
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About Chulalongkorn University
Chulalongkorn University, widely regarded as Thailand’s leading institution of higher education, combines academic excellence with social impact. Established in Bangkok, it has consistently been recognized as the nation’s top university, holding this distinction for 15 consecutive years. Internationally, Chula has strengthened its reputation, rising to 211th in the QS World University Rankings 2024, up from 244th the previous year. It is also ranked among the world’s top 50 universities for employment outcomes, reflecting both the high rate of graduate employability and the practical skills its alumni bring to the global workforce.
Beyond rankings, Chulalongkorn University positions itself at the intersection of innovation, education, and community development. Through initiatives such as the Design for Society Center (CUD4S) and partnerships with hospitals, industry, and government, the university emphasizes research and technology designed to improve quality of life. Its work extends from healthcare innovations to sustainability projects, underscoring its mission to serve both Thailand and the wider world.
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