challenge
In war-affected regions like Yemen and Somalia, healthcare systems are overwhelmed—and frontline responders often lack structured trauma training. One Shot Immersive, in partnership with the David Nott Foundation, had developed a VR-based mass casualty triage experience. However: The user experience lacked validation, especially in terms of comprehension, retention, and usability in high-stress environments. Frontline doctors faced practical challenges using VR headsets, including motion sickness, cognitive overload, and unclear instructions. The team had no baseline data or measurement framework to assess the effectiveness of the training. A significant risk: without evidence, this innovative tool could fail to gain adoption, despite its potential to save lives. The deeper challenge: create a validated, accessible, and psychologically safe training experience for doctors working in the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
Client
One Shot Immersive
Format
Mixed Media
ACTION
As design and CX lead, I helped One Shot Immersive elevate their VR product from a promising prototype to a measurable, field-ready training system. Phase 1: Experience Audit & UX Recommendations Led a full audit of the headset-based training flow, focusing on instructional clarity, motion design, onboarding, and recovery states. Identified key barriers to usability in austere environments: inconsistent onboarding, limited visual cues, and overload during chaotic scenarios. Delivered a prioritized set of UX recommendations, improving comfort, wayfinding, and the ability to engage under stress. Phase 2: Field Validation with Trauma Doctors Designed and ran field research across active sites, interviewing over 50 doctors who used the training in Yemen and Syria. Measured engagement, learning retention, psychological response, and usability through surveys and follow-up interviews. Tasked users with applying the triage sequence post-training, comparing confidence, time-to-decision, and error rates. Measurement Strategy & Data Framework Established a baseline data model for tracking training effectiveness over time. Recommended metrics aligned with trauma outcomes (e.g. decision accuracy, speed, retention), headset usability, and emotional response. Created a system for iterative improvement, enabling One Shot to refine scenarios and content with real user data.
RESULTS
50+ trauma doctors fully trained using the VR system across conflict zones 450+ lives saved through improved in-field decision-making and faster triage response Dramatic improvement in confidence and learning retention—users reported feeling better prepared for real-world scenarios. Experience refinements reduced motion sickness, improved onboarding, and increased completion rates. The project earned industry recognition (BIMA Award) and support from humanitarian partners for further global expansion. Now deployed in Yemen, Syria, and Somalia, with other crisis zones under consideration. “VR trauma training has the power to save so many lives, but product design is critical.” — James Gough, CEO, One Shot Immersive “This pragmatic approach is an inspiration to use VR for practical purposes.” — Catriona Campbell, CEO, EY Innovation Lab
LEADERSHIP LENS
This project required ethical design at the highest stakes. I led with: Clarity – Ensured users always knew what to do, how to respond, and how to recover, because confusion costs lives. Cadence – Structured the research, testing, and iteration plan to keep the product improving while being deployed in real time. Care – Treated every design choice as if someone’s life depended on it—because, in this case, it did. Technology alone doesn’t save lives. But trusted, validated, human-centered tools can change the outcome. This work proved it—one headset at a time.
