VR-Based Self-Injection Training Tool for ZS Associates
Immersive Patient Training for Confident Self-Care In collaboration with ZS Associates, DJX Labs developed a VR training experience that helps patients learn how to correctly use critical medical devices like self-injection pens and inhalers. The goal: reduce misuse, improve patient confidence, and bring hospital-grade training into the home—through immersive first-person simulation.
Challenge :
Self-administered medical devices such as insulin pens or inhalers are crucial but prone to misuse, especially when patients are alone, unsupervised, or anxious. Traditional training methods often fall short of delivering hands-on familiarity.
The challenge: create an accessible and engaging VR solution that could train patients at scale—without needing physical supervision or expensive hardware.
Objectives
- Train users in the correct procedures to use sensitive medical devices
- Deliver a first-person simulation to increase familiarity and reduce anxiety
- Design for scalable deployment using low-cost VR devices
- Use intuitive interactions that do not require controllers or prior VR experience
Our Approach :
We developed a step-by-step, first-person VR training tool that walks patients through the exact process of using their medical devices—mirroring real-world environments to reduce the learning curve.
Key experience features:
- Guided voice-over and visual cues for every step of the procedure
- Gaze-based navigation, eliminating the need for complex controls
- Simple UI and clear visuals to aid low-literacy or older audiences
- Interactive quizzes to reinforce real-time decision making
The result was an immersive simulation that felt real, allowing users to rehearse in VR and gain the confidence to do it correctly in real life.
Technology Stack
- Unity VR experience optimized for entry-level standalone headsets
- Gaze interaction model for low-friction usability
- Optimized for offline deployment in clinics, pharmacies, and rural health centers
Impact
The training solution empowered ZS and their pharma partners to:
- Improve device usage accuracy
- Reduce dependency on in-person trainers
- Scale training to diverse geographies and user types
- Enhance patient safety and treatment adherence
