MediaCombo Receives NIH SBIR Grant to Transform Healthcare Training

The Problem

Healthcare faces a critical challenge: medical errors in routine encounters represent the third leading cause of death in the U.S., resulting in approximately 440,000 preventable fatalities annually. Communication and teamwork failures are among the primary contributors to these errors.

The Solution: Proven Methodology Meets Cutting-EdgeTechnology

ViTaLS is addressing this challenge with support from the NIH Small Business Innovation & Research (SBIR) program.

The funding enables us to study the effectiveness of training interprofessional teams of healthcare students in the essential collaboration, empathy, tolerance of ambiguity and observation skills that are critical for improved patient care, through facilitated discussions about art in an immersive virtual reality environment.

Our platform leverages Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS), a proven methodology created over 30 years ago by psychologist Abigail Housen and Philip Yenawine during his tenure as Director of Education at the Museum of Modern Art.

Multiple studies have confirmed VTS's effectiveness in fostering observation, tolerance of ambiguity, and communication skills with interprofessional groups of health education students (IPE)

Why Virtual Reality is the Ideal Platform

VTS sessions are typically conducted by museum educators in museum galleries, significantly limiting access to this training. By harnessing VR technology, we enable student participation from any location with a headset and WiFi connection.

VR delivery offers compelling advantages:
• Accessibility: Affordable VR hardware enables remote and hybrid learning—some institutions like Ohio State University College of Nursing already require students to purchase VR headsets
• Market Need: Three-quarters of all medical schools require interprofessional education
• Practical Benefits: Real-life training is difficult to schedule across multiple departments and colleges
• Enhanced Learning: Research shows VR often increases learning retention through immersive, interactive, highly focused experiences in safe, distraction-free environments

Demonstration Results

Our first ViTaLS demonstration involved health education students from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and School of Nursing and Health Studies. Student feedback following a single session revealed significant benefits:

"It allowed the viewer to process one's own interpretation of the picture while also understanding the views of others. I think it really pinpointed how many people can decipher a situation or 'picture' in life differently and the importance of communicating their findings with one another to look at it in a different light."

Doctor of Physical Therapy Student, University of Miami

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‍"To consider different perspectives by actively listening to peers, learning how to ask questions and take in information in a non-judgmental way."

Medical Student, University of Miami

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"It felt like we accomplished the full experience of actually going to a museum where the artwork was located while standing there talking about it."

Nurse Anesthesia Student, University of Miami

The Impact

Interpersonal skills such as observing and listening closely, articulating evidence, and recognizing bias are foundational for success in healthcare and beyond. These skills foster better understanding, trust, empathy, and collaboration—ultimately resulting in better patient outcomes.

Participate With Us

We are seeking partners to participate in paid pilot programs testing ViTaLS's effectiveness and scalability in transforming healthcare education. Join us in developing this platform to meet market needs and save lives through better communication.

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