Digital Transformation of Healthcare Professionals Trainings: Towards a Design Framework for Creating Autonomous XR Training Platforms

“Room-of-horrors” is a low-fidelity simulation that places deliberate hazards or mistakes in a simulated clinical setting to develop error-detection skills and situational awareness. Extended Reality technologies, including Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality, offer promising alternatives for delivering room-of-horrors simulations. By allowing repeated, autonomous, and safe practice, these technologies reduce the need to repurpose real clinical spaces and can provide immersive learning experiences. However, the literature has not yet systematically identified optimal extended reality design for effective autonomous room-of-horrors simulations training. This article reviews relevant studies and presents a design framework focusing on non-technical skills, patient safety, and long-term knowledge retention. By integrating insights from serious game-based learning, immersive technology, and clinical education, this framework aims to guide future development of XR-based room-of-horror simulations for safer healthcare practices.