Using PCS Spark is as easy as 1-2-3! The next three sections below will give you a quick rundown of what you need for a successful virtual simulation experience, so make sure you read these through carefully.
1. VR headset setup
Before you start your simulations in PCS Spark, please make sure of the following:
You have set up your Meta Quest device,
You have connected your Meta Quest to the internet and have an active, stable connection,
You are familiar with your Meta Quest device menu layout and control scheme,
You have enough room and ample light to fully utilize the 6 degrees of freedom provided by your headset:
If you haven't finished setting up your Meta Quest headset, or if you have any usability / technical concerns during the initial setup, visit Meta's
"Getting started with Meta Quest 3" guide using the link below:
https://www.meta.com/help/quest/1994971530885728/
Before you start your simulation with PCS Spark, launch Meta's First Steps App to learn more about how the controllers work.
2. Tips and Tricks before you get started
Always make sure your Meta Quest headset and the controller batteries are fully charged before you start using it.
Please start the simulation while seated for the best simulation experience.
Set up your Boundary to be Roomscale and try to ensure you have at least 5 feet of free space to the sides and 10 feet of free space in front of you (see the picture above).
If during the simulation you'd need to cross the play area boundaries, adjust your boundary to include more space if your room allows it.
Make sure there are no objects inside your boundary, and aim to stay inside your boundary for the duration of your simulation.
If you have any questions about the simulation, reach out to help@pcs.ai for assistance or use the Online Chat Support feature from your personal menu (little man icon) in the top right while on app.pcs.ai.
3. Using PCS Spark in your VR Headset
The sections below provide a comprehensive description of each step for a successful simulation experience. Open the sections to learn more:
What is PCS Spark?
What is PCS Spark?
PCS Spark is your virtual patient simulator with different AI-powered patients you can talk to in real time. You can check vitals, listen to heart or lung sounds, and perform different physical examinations, which are all based on the specific case.
Accessing PCS Spark
Accessing PCS Spark
When you are assigned a virtual simulation, it will automatically be available directly from your BrightSpace account (https://purdueglobal.brightspace.com/). All you need to do is to open the Meta Quest Browser, then navigate to your university's BrightSpace page. Once you log in, you will find your virtual simulations under your courses.
Starting a Simulation in VR
Starting a Simulation in VR
With your PCS Account created and the virtual assignment added by the access key, you can now start virtual simulations with your Meta Quest headset. Select any of the patients in your assignment by hitting the blue “Start” button next to it.
At this point, your Meta Quest Browser will request access to your microphone and permission to enter an immersive experience—make sure you allow both, then refresh the browser page if necessary, so the new permissions apply.
A simulation in Spark consists of two modes:
a fully immersive 3D environment
and a control screen where you can access assignment-specific resources; read more about these in the Additional Resources section of this guide
You will be loaded into the simulation through the fully immersive 3D environment once the simulation loads, and you click the blue “Meet Your Patient” button in the middle of the screen:
Read the control instructions on the screen carefully and take some time to adjust. Once you've adapted to the controls, you can hide the welcome by shooting the small “X” in the upper right corner.
You can exit the immersive 3D environment anytime by quickly double-pressing the Meta button (right controller, elongated “infinity” logo):
If you get motion sickness during the simulation, just exit the fully immersive 3D environment by double-pressing the Meta button (right controller, elongated "infinity" logo), and if necessary, take off your headset for a couple of minutes.
You can go back into the immersive 3D environment by clicking on the "Resume" button from the headbar of the browser.
Pro tip: in case you don’t see the “Resume” button in the headbar, please try to use the blue “Meet Your Patient” button to switch back. If it does not switch the view, please select the “Meta Browser” from the applications once again.
Simulation Controls
Simulation Controls
You can look and walk around the room like you would in real life. Please be mindful of objects/obstacles in your room!
If you have limited space available, you can teleport by pushing the thumbstick forward and aiming wherever you want to move; more on this in the next section.
Shoot at the patient or your virtual chair to move closer to your assigned patient; more on this in the next section.
To talk to the patient in front of you, press the A or the X button. Alternatively, you can also shoot at the Microphone Icon above their head (push the Trigger or Grip on the controller while aiming at the red disk) above the patient's head:
This will enable your microphone (the disk will turn green); you will also hear an upward beeping sound, signaling that the speech recognition has been enabled and your patient is listening to your questions.
Note: Please ensure you're in an environment with low background noise, as the patient may try to respond to other sounds, conversations, etc.
Press down on one of the thumbsticks, Y or B, to start and stop the physical examination. This will move the patient to the examination table. Alternatively, shoot at the Physical Examination Bag or Shelf:
Grab any of the tools from the table by aiming and shooting them, then move them to the relevant locations on the patient's body to access further findings.
Examination findings are presented either via audio or visually in a pop-up window (or both).
After picking up tools by shooting them with the Trigger or Grip buttons, use your hands to move the tool to the relevant locations on the patient's body to get the results. You will see the findings of the relevant areas in popups.
You can dismiss the popup findings by moving your hand over or shooting at the small “X” in the top right corner of the result.
You can swap tools by pointing at the table and pushing the Trigger or Grip buttons: this will drop the currently held tool and allow you to pick up another by aiming and shooting at the other one.
Shoot the purple notebook on the table to access the PX Inspections:
This will allow you to conduct additional inspections and examinations:
Below are a couple of examples of virtual examination tool uses. For a complete guide on how each tool can be used, check out this article.
Temperature check: Aim and shoot at the thermometer on the table to pick it up. Once in your hands, simply press the trigger or grip button and touch the patient's body with the device to check the body temperature. The value will appear on the back of the device.
Radial pulse palpation: Press and hold the Grip button and then touch the patient's wrist
Auscultation: Aim and shoot at the stethoscope on the table to pick it up and then touch the patient's chest using the stethoscope to listen to the auscultation sounds
Eye/Ear Examinations: Aim and shoot at the otoscope/ophthalmoscope and move the tools up to the patient's ears or eyes to get the results
Note: The virtual patient has a very limited range of motion at this time, and will not be able to follow your commands when you ask them to raise their hands, open their mouths, etc. Consider using the Physical exam tools at your disposal, or requesting orders for exam results.
Moving around in the virtual environment
Moving around in the virtual environment
You can move around in the immersive environment to your desired location without having to move physically in your room. To teleport, simply push the thumbstick forward and aim where you would like to land:
You can also shoot at your initial virtual chair to get back to your default starting position in the immersive environment:
Point at your assigned patient and shoot if you’d like to move closer to your patient:
Decide about the diagnosis, the treatment, and the next steps for your patient:
You can order diagnostics, analyze them, set the diagnosis, and then decide about the next steps for your assigned patient by shooting at the folder object in the virtual environment:
Additional Resources
Additional Resources
Further resources are also available by quickly double-pressing the Meta button (right controller, elongated "infinity" logo). This button allows you to exit the fully immersive 3D environment and instead gives you a high-level overview of the simulation.
First, move and resize the browser window so you feel comfortable looking at it. To move the browser, grab and move the grey line below the browser or the toolbar.
To resize the browser, grab and move the edges of the browser:
The toolbar at the bottom of your browser may contain the following:
Patient File: Basic information about your assigned patient for your assignment.
Vital Signs: Some assignments will allow you to check your patient’s vitals such as heart rate, SpO2, etc. You may have to attach the available tools (ECG Patches, Multi Sensor or Respiratory Sensor) from the rack to see the values:
Sim Log: Logs of every interaction during your simulation. You can review your conversation with the patient, see what physical exams you've performed, and others.
Diagnose and Treat: You can request Imaging, Labs, Medications, etc., and decide about the next steps for the patient.
Hints and Progress: Provides additional learning resources and helpful information for your virtual simulations
Wrapping up your Simulation
Wrapping up your Simulation
There isn't a definite end to a virtual simulation in Spark. Just like when interviewing a real-life patient, your aim is to get critical and valuable information. That will be the basis of your assessment.
When you feel you have collected enough information about the patient, and have gone through the “Diagnose and Treat” and decided on the diagnosis and the next steps, you can stop the simulation by shooting at the door of your virtual environment:
You’ll be prompted to confirm that you’d like to end your simulation session; simply shoot at the “End Simulation” button if you’d really like to stop it:
Alternatively, you can exit the fully immersive 3D environment by double-pressing the Meta button (right controller, elongated "Infinity"). Then, look for the End Simulation button in the top right of your browser (arrow inside the circle):
After you press the “End Simulation” button, you may have to do a post-simulation exercise or a quick survey based on your assignment.
Please answer all required questions, and then click OK to fully stop your simulation session.